Singing Through Fire - Lara Silverman, J.D.

Singing Through Fire, which chronicles Lara's eight-year journey through profound loss: a sudden, debilitating neurological illness that left her severely bedridden for four years, the collapse of her legal career, and, most recently, the death of her husband Matt—a brilliant engineering PhD, missionary, and youth pastor—after just one year of marriage.

 

"Yet in this Job-like journey, God met me with startling joy: unexpected marriage, music, and redemptive joy in the flames. The memoir is raw and honest, but also full of humor, theatrical flair, and 1940s vintage romance." - Lara Silverman

Book Trailer:

My Review: Finding joy in grief. 1 Peter 1: 6-7 says,"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Lara Silverman's story of losing her dream job due to a devastating illness that baffled her doctors does not sound promising for finding joy, but it is. Her faith in God stands strong as well as her determination to not give up hope. This includes falling in love and marrying a man named Matt. Matthew John, a brilliant engineering PhD, missionary, youth pastor, and a cancer survivor (during his teens), who brings joy and hope, and a strong faith that encourages Lara. When cancer returns, Lara is a perfect supporter for him. Even knowing there will be unimaginable struggles and their time together many be very limited, they are perfect together. Love and laughter, trusting God, and meeting the needs of one another...physically, emotionally, & spiritually is amazing. 

Joy is also brought to the reader. Lara's sense of humor (with a perfect sarcastic twist), her love of music and theater, her ability to draw closer to God even when things get tougher than expected, her relationships with family and friends, and especially with Matt are an encouragement for the readers. 

I was reminded of 2 other verses while reading:
"The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

"Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

Lara's story of faith, unstoppable courage, a quest for answers and acceptance that "Wait" is an answer, unflinching hope, determination to find joy inspite of pain, and sharing moments of joy make this a compelling and encouraging read. Thank you Lara for sharing your and Matt's story. 

Lara & Matt Silverman
March 4, 2023

Buy "Singing Through Fire"

The Silverman Web Site

Grief Triggered

My crockpot quit working this weekend... and I cried. It was frustrating because I use it a lot, and I had just bought a roast. I had filled the crockpot with meat, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and onion... and was looking forward to a meal I had not prepared in several months. It was frustrating because I had spent my expendable income the day before on things that could have waited another month. But, none of the above is why I cried.

I cried because Caitlyn gave it to me. I had a large family-sized one; it was so big I cooked an 8 lb turkey in it one Thanksgiving when my oven quit. I had told Caitlyn that it was getting more difficult for me to pick up, even when empty.

She didn't buy a new one but simply gave me the one in her kitchen. When I realized it wasn't working, my mind immediately was flooded with the memories of us talking and laughing about what I could make for her... since she never cooked anything in it. I could picture her smiling face as clearly as if she had just handed it to me.

Suddenly, I was reminded that those moments will never happen again. Throwing it away brought another flood of tears. It felt like I was giving away another part of her. It's been almost 18 months since she died, but unexpected things and memories still have the power to remind me of the person I loved so dearly and lost.

Ironically, I have been wanting to buy another crockpot, even smaller than hers, but I never thought it would be such an emotional experience. Despite everything, there does come a time to move on. The crockpot is certainly replaceable! Caitlyn is not but I am reminded that I will see her again, healed and whole, and never again to be parted. She is safe with the Lord for now.

The Louder Song by Aubrey Sampson

Lament helps us hear God’s louder song.

When you’re in the midst of suffering, you want answers for the unanswerable, resolutions to the unresolvable. You want to tie up pain in a pretty little package and hide it under the bed, taking it out only when you feel strong enough to face it. But grief won’t be contained. Grief disobeys. Grief explodes. In one breath, you may be able to say that God’s got this and all will be well. In the next, you might descend into fatalism. No pretending. Here, you are raw before God, an open wound.

There is a pathway through this suffering. It’s not easy, but God will use it to lead you toward healing. This path is called lament. Lament leads us between the Already and the Not Yet. Lament minds the gap between current hopelessness and coming hope. Lament anticipates new creation but also acknowledges the painful reality of now. Lament recognizes the existence of evil and suffering—without any sugarcoating—while simultaneously declaring that suffering will not have the final say.

In the midst of your darkest times, you will discover that lament leads you back to a place of hope—not because lamenting does anything magical, but because God sings a louder song than suffering ever could, a song of renewal and restoration. 

We all go through periods of suffering, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological. In The Louder Song: Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament, author Aubrey Sampson addresses the various forms of grief through her own personal pain and stories of others.

The message that spoke to me was about ignoring our pain by covering it with distractions to deflect attention from our suffering. Many rush past the examples of lament in the Bible, preferring the times of joy. Yet, the lament is the times that bring us nearer to God... trusting Him more as we go through the valley of despair and shadows. These songs and prayers of lament and sorrow are outpourings to God that then allow Him to give us HOPE as He guides us through them. Sampson's journaling that expresses her own pain and grief has led her to a deeper trust in God. 

Her vulnerability and authenticity remind me that it's easy to withdraw into myself as I deal with grief, pain, and anxiety. The verses she lists toward the back of the book, along with the Study Guide, are very useful tools for focusing on renewal and restoration in spite of everything and that God's song to us is, indeed, louder when we listen to Him.

I received this book as part of the Tyndale Blog Network at no cost to myself in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.

Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace

In Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace, Susan B. Mead shares her story of how God comforted her with unimaginable love and insight during a time of overwhelming grief. She heard His voice and was shown her son as he danced with Jesus and as he worshiped in the presence of God. In this book, Susan shares her encounters with God that led her into a more intimate relationship with Him as she struggled through the loss of several close family members, including her youngest son. Along the way, He taught her about the power of forgiveness and faith, restoration that restores, and that joy can be found again as you move from grief to embrace God's grace. 

My Review: This is a heartfelt book dealing with grief, but is filled with moments of humor, enlightenment, and encouragement, as well as sorrow. The chapters are short enough to hold the attention of even those in the midst of deep grief, but also contains questions at the end for those who want to explore their own feelings more. The book leads to reader to the knowledge that there can be hope and healing despite the suffering and sorrow that comes with the loss of a loved one. Pointing to God as the One who can and will bring comfort through the pain, this book is a witness to the fact that we can find the light and love of God even while we are still in the darkness of despair. There is hope and joy to be found again.

Susan B Mead website
Susan B Mead on Facebook Dance With Jesus website  Twitter:  @susanbmead
LinkedIn:   SusanMead1
Amazon - Susan B. Mead YouTube

I received a free copy of this book from the author to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

Susan is a Charter Blogger on the Bible Gateway Blogger’s Grid, has been published in Medical Laboratory Observer (MLO), is on the path to becoming a Chaplain with the IFOC and has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. 10% of the profit from Dance with Jesus: From Grief to Grace will benefit Water for LIFE to help dig water wells in remote locations around the world. People Matter!

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (March 31, 2015)
• Language: English

Memories of 11/22/63: Grief to Gratitude to Grace

Sandra, Paul, Debbie, & Cindy
November 1963

Several have posted memories of Kennedy being assassinated 50 years ago today. My parents, brother, my best friend, and I had come to Alabama for a few days. This photo of Sandra, Paul, Debbie (my cousin), and I was made about that time. I know I was sitting on my grandparent's front porch when my mom came outside crying, telling us that President Kennedy had been shot.

At the time, I did not truly grasp the enormity of what had happened. Since Daddy was in the Navy, I know we immediately had to return to where he was stationed in Goose Creek (near Charleston), South Carolina. All I remember about the trip back was my parents sitting in the front seat, quietly taking, and Mom continued to have tears streaming down her face. Of course, I cried because Mom cried. 

Caroline, Jackie, & John Kennedy
11/25/63

At first I thought she was upset because we had to end our Thanksgiving vacation early, but reality sank in once we got to a television and I witnessed the sights and sounds of what had and continued to happen. Images of a grieving widow, and 2 kids brought it into a sharper focus. These kids no longer had a daddy. John-John's daddy was being buried on his 3rd birthday! Caroline's was just 2 days later, and she was the same age as my little brother. Suddenly, my world expanded beyond my circle of family and friends.

I remember when Thanksgiving came a few days later, I was more aware than ever of the blessings I had received from God. I knew that Thanksgiving was a day we thanked God. We always prayed before eating anyway, but Thanksgiving Grace was for more than just the food we were about to eat. When it was my turn to ask the blessing, I always used the standard, "God is great, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food.", but I think I matured a little between Nov. 22, and Nov. 28, 1963.

That Thanksgiving I asked permission to ask the blessing. I still remember getting to the table early with my Bible because I wanted to read Scripture too. That is when I discovered a Psalm about thanksgiving! Psalm 100 immediately became a favorite and I remember reading it before asking the blessing and thanking God for all of the blessings I had received and could look forward to receiving from Him for all eternity. So, more than just a "Where Were You When...?" moment, this expanded to a week of where I experienced the grief of others as we mourned as a nation, realized how much I had to be grateful about in my life as the Kennedy family received the gratitude of a grateful nation for their sacrifice, and realized there was more to saying grace and thanking God for my food. I could also experience God's Grace and He became very real to me that week. 

Salvaged web series

SALVAGED is a web series that is based off of a young adult Christian fiction novel, SALVAGED, by Stefne Miller.


* ABOUT SALVAGED


Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why?

When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good. 

Can Attie's life be Salvaged?

(* description provided to me from blog tour site)

MY REVIEW: I admit to being a little confused as I began to watch this, but I am glad I stuck with it.  After I got more of the gist of what was going on (and I had not read the description first), I started over and was drawn more into the story.  There were times it dragged a bit, or the acting wasn't quite as good, but it is a series I would recommend, especially for teens. This is a turbulent time for many, and Attie is facing and coming to terms with a tragic accident that forever changed her life. All of the main characters are also  dealing with their own pain, but the focus remains on Attie rather than trying to overwhelm the viewer with too many stories at the same time. The uncertainty, pain, steps forward to healing, and even the steps backward, are a real and honest portrayal of the struggle to make sense of it all and move forward. 



AUTHOR'S INTERVIEW: STEFNE MILLER

How did the Salvaged web series come about?
I was working with Director, Paul Morrell on a movie adaptation of my third novel, Collision. We had just completed the screenplay and were about to move in to the next phase, when I told him about an idea I had for Salvaged. I'd always believed that it would make a great teen drama series - either on television, straight to DVD or web streaming. He loved the idea and was interested in doing it. Within days, a friend that I mentioned it to, offered to pay to have a pilot/proof of concept reel developed. Less than a month later, I was in LA holding a casting call. Two weeks later, a cast and crew of 25 were in a rented house, shooting for five days. We decided to take the pilot episode and also release it as a web series so that we could introduce people to the story, characters and our quality of work. We believe that this can only help both the Salvaged and Collision projects.

What is the big goal?
The big picture goal is that a network or distributor would pick up the series. I've already written the scripts for eight 45 minute episodes or what could easily be turned in to a mini-series.

Who are you hoping to reach with this series?
Salvaged, the web series is based on my first novel by the same name. It is a young adult Christian fiction novel that was able to transcend the lines of Christian fiction and also move into the secular market. Salvaged was first picked up in the mainstream young adult fiction blogging world and the reviews and ratings landed me on the Goodreads.com Reader's Choice Awards finalist list for Debut Author of 2010. I am hoping that Salvaged will continue to reach out into various audiences and present them with a powerful story that has the ability to impact lives - no matter the way in which they receive it (book, web series, tv show, etc).

When does the series come out?
There are six episodes. The first was released on September 25th. The remaining episodes will release every Wednesday at 8 am (CST) through October 30th.

Where can viewers find the episodes?
Salvaged has it's own YouTube channel at: youtube.com/salvagedseries. The episodes will stay on the Salvaged YouTube channel for viewers to watch far into the future.

Where can we find out more about the series and the book? 

You can also learn more about the series on the official Salvaged web site at salvagedseries.com. You can read an except of the first chapter of Salvaged, the book, at my web site, stefnemiller.com, or purchase a copy online or at your local bookstores. 

Shattered by Rita Schulte

SHATTERED: Finding Hope and Healing through the losses of life

There are few today who are not affected directly or indirectly from the effects of loss. Death, divorce, abuse, job loss, and health issues are the most common reasons we are adversely affected, but there are also disappointments of shattered dreams, failed expectations, doubts about faith, and other losses that contribute to the pressures bearing down.

Shattered explores how these losses can impact all areas of your life, including your relationship with God. There is the immediate impact, especially in major losses, but there is also a tendency of some to bury both the hard-hitting problems and the smaller ones that gradually occur. The refusal to talk about, or even think about, our pain can be detrimental.

This book tells the reader that to deny or ignore our pain is what stands in the way of healing. Schulte explains that it is necessary to pay attention to what you are trying to cover and offers hope through “healing tasks of the heart”. If we allow our losses, hurts, bitterness, and anger to keep building it affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is designed to draw you to a closure, hope, and a more secure relationship with God.

Good book! I am one of those who buries pain and puts up emotional walls when dealing with everything from a major loss to a minor one. I wish I had learned how to deal with losses many years ago instead of letting them build up to to where I am today. My open rebellion against God ended many years ago, but I still struggle with trust issues...even more than I realized. Although a lot of my "rocks" remain covered from others, they are there and weigh me down. Even though I am aware of this about myself, Shattered did help me to realize that I have not dealt with a lot of the losses in a healthy manner. Of course, I realized this, too, but have never moved forward to the healing portion. Acceptance of what has happened and trusting God that there is an overall plan are only a part of the process. There is more to do and Schulte wants the reader to move to a better level.

Part 1 deals with Evaluating the Assault of Loss on the Heart, Part 2 is Reclaiming Your Heart, and Part 3 is the healing Reinvesting the Heart. I could strongly identify with a paragraph in one of the chapters in Part 3 about the reluctance to reopen dreams placed on a shelf due to fear of trusting others...including God. There is also Appendix A, B, C, and D to help you further evaluate the losses you have experienced, how you felt, and how you are dealing with them. Whether you are dealing with a fresh catastrophic loss, small ones that have added up over the years, or a combination of the two, Shattered is a useful tool for allowing God to once again create beauty and value from a life that feels broken.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Leafwood Publishers for the purpose of this review.

Matthew Navarro

Matthew  3/6/74

Matthew David Navarro
January 11, 1974
Birmingham, Alabama 
                ~

    March 20, 1974 
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba




There aren't many words to say about today. I remember January 11th as a joyful day, but rarely get through it without a few tears. I think anyone who knows me knows that my faith in Christ is what held me together when I unexpectedly lost Matthew, and what has continued to sustain me over the years. I just miss him more on days like this when I would love to pick up a phone to wish him a happy birthday. Yet, he is in the presence of his Heavenly Father and I rejoice with him.

Today, I will think about the joy he brought into my life. Believe me, he was already developing a personality that made me suspect there would be a battle of the wills in our future! Yet,  he also had a smile that filled my life with sunshine. He was only in my arms for 9 weeks, 5 days but he has been in my heart for years... and will continue throughout eternity.

Today, I will absolutely be missing him, but the knowledge that I WILL SEE MY SON AGAIN is not just a hope. It is a promise made to all of us who put our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation.

Comfort About Christians Who Have Died

 "Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don’t want you to grieve like other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring back those who have died. They will come back with Jesus. We are telling you what the Lord taught. We who are still alive when the Lord comes will not go into His kingdom ahead of those who have already died. The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life. Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. So then, comfort each other with these words!"~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18