Comfort and Encouragement

By Jodi L. Serino-Barbour

Dealing with a terminal illness is difficult for the one suffering, as well as for their family members. So many prayers are released during this time for the family as they struggle with a plethora of emotions that includes feeling alone and as if no one understands. This book was designed to Comfort the Heart of the one grieving, as well as provide Encouragement to the one who is suffering from a terminal illness by sharing with them real-life experiences found in the Word of God of those who shared similar journeys from which they can pull strength for each day today.

This book was prepared to not just be read, but to be used as a journal so that one can document their feelings, lift up a prayer themselves, or just share how they feel after having read the preceding chapter. It is those words documented through the process that has the potential of blessing the family from generation to generation for it is the memoir of the beloved - a timeless keepsake.

Two letters, written on separate occasions - one to encourage a close family member who was diagnosed with stage four cancer, and preparing to leave behind a husband and two daughters; the other to comfort the family dealing with the death of their mom. Both, given to the author to prepare her for what she was yet to face. Shared to comfort and encourage others at such a time as this. A book you didn't know you needed until you received it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jodi L. Serino-Barbour
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005253776

Jodi L. Serino-Barbour

Mrs. Jodi Lynn Serino-Barbour, a native of Chicago, Illinois, currently (and happily) resides in sunny Florida. She is the wife of the Entrepreneur and Founder of New Praise Radio - Christian Internet BDS/MEDIABASE Radio Station - Radio Personality, Jerry R. Silvers. She is a mother of seven and a grandmother of 16. She is an artist, a singer, a networker, an encourager, and an inspirational speaker and writer who is making her mark in this world as a published author and a publisher who helps others to become published authors also.Jodi graduated from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, in June of 2019, where she obtained a Master’s Degree with distinction in Business Administration. Directly after graduation, in July 2019, Jodi founded JODILYNNSB Publishing and Editing Company where she began her journey of being an indie author with the publishing of the following titles:* Portrait of A Survivor (a true story) tells how the author, with help, became not just a survivor, but an overcomer of domestic violence* They Called Me – THE MASTERMIND (a true story) is a spiritual warfare book, unlike all others. It teaches you how to become skilled in using your spiritual weapons of warfare through visual learning tools and activities that enhance practical application.* COMFORT and ENCOURAGEMENT – A Word of Encouragement For Those Suffering With A Terminal Illness and Comfort For The Grieving Heart – (inspired by true events) is a 2 in 1 book that is designed to be a keepsake journal that comforts and encourages not only those dealing with grievous sicknesses but also those who are grieving over the death of a loved one.* Keep On The Watch – A Comprehensive Study and Comparison of Noah’s Day To Our Own, (available on AMAZON.com) is an in-depth look at Genesis chapters 6 – 8 to see how our day compares to Noah’s day as Jesus stated in Matthew 24:37* I Am A Giant Slayer - Recognizing and Overcoming the Giants in Your Life exposes the giants that are walking the face of the earth today and presents strategies for not only how to see them but how to overcome them by looking at the examples of three Giants slayers found in the bible - a woman, a man, and the young man David.* Giant Slayer - The Training Manual presents an overlooked demographic of giant slayers (the elderly) and then provides extensive training in how to Dress for Battle in one's whole armor of God. This book birthed the online school I Am A Giant Slayer (TheArtisansPEN.org)* 24 Hours is only 51 pages in length, but it is also one of the most powerful books written by Jodi Serino-Barbour because it has us look at how we use the most valuable commodity we all have that once spent cannot be replaced. That commodity is time. We will all be held accountable for how we spent it on judgment day.* Encouraging and Empowering Kingdom-Minded Men and Women in the Ministry of Business does just that by breaking down barriers that keep us from receiving the help that we need, and pointing us in the direction of the open door that awaits us on our journey.These are only a few of what Jodi L Serino-Barbour has poured out in her journey toward becoming a prolific writer.Alongside writing, JODILYNN SB PUBLISHING and EDITING CO. expanded to become JODILYNN SB’s P.E.N. (Publishing, Editing, and Narrating) which not only includes the release of audiobooks narrated by Jodi; but, also includes her being released on an even greater platform - Smashwords. Her growth continued in 2022 and led to Jodi Lynn publishing under the business name The Artisans PEN (Publishing, Editing, and Narrating) and then opening an online school based upon her Giant Slayer books.Jodi Serino-Barbour enjoys her connection with Smashwords which opened the door for her to be published on even more platforms for her e-books and her audiobooks. She is very excited about this new level of growth, and she looks forward to bringing her previously published books over to this platform.Would you like to read more from Jodi or hear some of her radio broadcast shows that aired from 2014 to 2019 on the New Praise Radio?Copy the links below in your web browser’s address bar:•To view books written and /or published by Jodi L Serino Barbour: bit.ly/booksbyjodilynn•To view the latest audiobooks by Jodi L Serino-Barbour: bit.ly/jodilynnspeaks•To listen to an MP3 of Jodi’s radiobroadcast: bit.ly/DIAL911•Visit Jodi’s website: abasilenceministries.wordpress.com

Book preview

PREFACE

When I first started writing Encouragement For Those Suffering With A Terminal Illness, it started off as a letter to my cousin who was preparing to leave behind a husband and two daughters as she battled with cancer that had metastasized throughout her body.

Because there was a small delay in the time that I would be able to go and see her in person; and because we did not know how much time she had left to live, I decided to write to her this letter to encourage her as she endured this great contest of her faith.

While I was thankful that I was able to see her before she passed, it wasn’t until I had picked up my (2nd generation) cousin (Ida’s niece) from the airport, so that together we could go visit Ida in hospice, that I found out that this letter that was meant to encourage her was not delivered. (Ida passed never having seen this letter.)

The same week, when embarking upon the journey to return home, we stopped to rest in Clarksville, Tennessee, our hometown away from home, and decided to visit with another friend of ours whom we were told was in the hospital. He was also battling a form of cancer.

With a sense of urgency, it was dropped in my spirit to copy the letter, originally written to my cousin, and take it to him. My cousin was not able to read the letter (or hear it read to her), but the friend of my husband and I was able to hear it read to him before he passed.

As my husband and I continued our drive home, I realized that this letter had to be written; and that, while my cousin Ida was the inspiration for the letter, the real recipient was anyone who found themselves in the lonely place of trying to cope with an illness that they knew was terminal. This letter, entrusted to me by the Holy Spirit, has as its purpose the charge to encourage those who are suffering.

The birthing of the words of Comfort For the Grieving Heart had a similar story. I was asked to speak at the funeral of a friend whose adoptive mother had passed unexpectedly.

At the time that I was asked, I was in the middle of grocery shopping and the request caught me off guard. I didn’t give an answer of yes or no. I told my friend that I would contact him later. The request bothered me the entire time I shopped because I had never spoken formally at anyone’s funeral prior to this request. What would I say?

I was set to decline the offer; yet, God had other plans for me. It was while I was refreshing from the day’s activities that the Holy Spirit downloaded into me everything that I was charged with speaking. I immediately called my friend back to tell him that I would be there, and to let me know what day and time.

After the funeral, I immediately realized that this needed to be shared with anyone who was grieving over the loss of a loved one because it touches on a topic that I wasn’t initially aware that people felt along with grief – anger at God. I believe that this is a subject that is a source of grief for God because throughout His written Word I hear him speaking to us, in the place of our pain, a word of ‘Comfort and Encouragement’, and returning to us something that we didn’t realize was stolen – our Hope for a future with our loved ones that are resting, sleeping in death

.It is now in my heart to combine both letters into one book, and make it available to all with the purpose of encouraging those who are dealing with trials in health, and comforting the family and friends who are grieving for their loved ones.

Dedication

This compilation of two letters is dedicated to my beloved cousin, Mary Ida Smith-Stafford, who finished her battle with cancer on Thursday morning, August 23, 2018; and to my mother, Claudine (Lavendar Robinson) Williams who left this world unexpectedly on Sunday morning, November 25, 2018, due to complications after surgery.

Never do I consider their battle to be lost. They won their fight because they maintained their faith in God to the very end. They knew that Jesus Christ won the battle for us all when He got up from the grave with ALL power in his hands. (See 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Matthew 28:18)

My beautiful cousin and my mother won their battle; and God allowed me to be present with them both before he called them to rest (to sleep) until it’s time for them to awake up again. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) So, now, in their memory, I continue to share that which was given to me to Comfort and Encourage others.

May the peace of God comfort and encourage you, as you read this book, in the name of our Lord Christ Jesus, to the glory of our Heavenly Father.

Comfort In Suffering

3 Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies

and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those

who are in any trouble,

with the comfort with which we ourselves

are comforted by God.

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