When a Child Dies - Softcover

Hans, Daniel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0914733249 ISBN 13: 9780914733249

Publisher: Desert Ministries, 1998

Synopsis

This grieving minister's own struggle to reconcile his relationship with God after his child's death provides a soul-satisfying look at questions of faith that often arise after a tragedy.

About this title

About the Author

Daniel T. Hans is an ordained Presbyterian minister. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dension University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He has been a college campus minister and has served churches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Milford, Connecticut.

A respected author, Dr. Hans' articles and sermons are often published in magazines such as Leadership, Today's Father, Presbyterians Today, Preaching and Pulpit Digest. His previous book is entitled God on the Witness Stand.

Dr. Hans currently serves as senior pastor of the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church in Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Everyone Loses Someone

To lose a parent is to lose the past; to lose a spouse or close friend is to lose the present; to lose a child is to lose the future. While the loss of a loved one is never easy, memories of the parent, spouse or friend help fill the aching void. But when a child dies, our dreams are snatched away, leaving an empty yearning for what could have been. I know this yearning in the depth of my soul, for my cradle of hope was robbed of its dream. I have faced every parent's worst nightmare and now stare into the haunting eyes of what never will be.

For the first thirty-three years of my life, I was spared the agonizing pain of loss that befalls so many people when they become victims of personal tragedy. Although I knew firsthand the agony of a disappointing loss in sports, a broken heart in romance and a guilty conscience in sin, these were skinned knees compared to the loss of my dream.

In my work as a pastor, I often assist people in walking through the valley of the shadow of death. When I preach at funeral services, I discuss how death is the constant shadow of life. Like our own shadow, it follows us persistently. But when death closes the gap and strikes its victim, it catches those who are close to that person off guard. The shock is as startling as if our own shadow had reached out and slapped us across the face.

Edition details

• Publisher: Desert Ministries
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0914733249
• ISBN 13: 9780914733249
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64