FRIENDS NEEDING FRIENDS NEW JERSEY

Good morning my friends,

Today is such a beautiful day here in Boynton Beach, Florida.  With God’s direction, I moved to Florida three years ago from New Jersey to start another “FNF” Sisterhood. Wow! What a major difference between New Jersey and Florida.  Florida's scenery is such a blessing, no matter how I feel, I am able to look out the window and see green grass, the beautiful sunsets, and palm trees reflecting on the water in the back part of my home.

But I do miss the wonderful ladies from our Friends Needing Friends Ministry in New Jersey, but thank God I can see all the wonderful pictures of the ladies and the ministry’s events Diana Clark sends to me each month.

I love seeing the different program themes that Mary Lou, our N.J. director, produces for the widows. This month Mary Lou invited the township fire company to give necessary information to the ladies. Many of the ladies still live by their selves and need to know the different safety rules in their homes.

Friends Needing Friends is not a support group, it is a “Sisterhood of women” all over the world. We all have learn of many ways to go on in life, and how to serve the Lord by helping other widows. Thank you God for a beautiful, wonderful sisterhood.

Happy Birthday to these beautiful ladies.

May God bless you my special friends from “FNF” New Jersey.

"FRIENDS NEEDING FRIENDS" IS OUR TITUS

     After reading Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, I began to reflect on Paul’s life. Paul spent much time traveling and preaching. He received little rest. The emotional and spiritual tension he dealt with was worse than the lack of rest. He often met misunderstanding and suspicion.

 Do you know, Paul’s life was much like our lives as widows? We often find it hard to rest – especially at night. The emotional and spiritual tensions are very draining – has God forgotten us? Has our faith weakened?  We are often met with misunderstanding. Why don’t you move? Why are you moving? Why are you staying there alone? Why don’t you go out more? Why did you leave our Saturday night club?

  

   When Titus visited Paul, he was in a cheerful mood. Titus’s friendship brought Paul rest. Their time together was very spiritual and physically refreshing to Paul and helped Paul tackle life with a renewed vigor.

    “Friends Needing Friends” is our Titus. It renews us monthly. Widows need each other when we are feeling discouraged or depressed. Just seeing a friend who “understands” can brighten your day. Just last week, this happened to me as I was food shopping – food shopping for one – a job I really hate. I met one of my “FNF” friends and suddenly I realized – I must stop feeling sorry for myself. I am not the only one who must shop for one; you know, my whole day brightened.

    We cannot do without one another. We are privileged because we have “Friends Needing Friends” to help us meet our needs – spiritually, emotionally and socially.  As widows we need each other.

Let us pray…Lord, thank you for friends who meet our needs. Thank you for the encouragement they give us. Help me to help others as they have helped me. Amen

 By Joanne Lewis    

Jesus is the one who puts music in our heart, music that makes our soul soar, that uplifts my spirit when I am down. He has used music to speak to me often on this widow’s journey.

I have a favorite singer and her name is Lynda Randle. Whatever song she sings always touches my heart and I know it will do the same for you . Now sit back, relax and let the spirit of God bring you closer to Jesus.

God On The Mountain by Lynda Randle

One Day At A Time by Lynda Randle

Walk With Me Lord by Lynda Randle

Through It All by Lynda Randle

NAOMI - A FAMOUS GRANDMOTHER IN THE BIBLE

Naomi - A Famous Grandmother in the Bible

Ruth & Boaz were the parents of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse was the father of King David and King David along with the others were in the Lineage of Jesus our Savior.

Naomi Teaches the Widow that

Honesty is the Best Policy

Naomi had lost her husband and two sons and was left with two daughters-in-law to support and no means for doing so. Here she was in this foreign country with her life crumbling around her. Her grief was deep and her pain so intense that she felt like there was no way out. And you know what she did?

She blamed God. She railed at him about his reasons for not stopping the plague from killing her sons. In Ruth 1:13 she cried out, ‘The Lord Himself has raised His fist against me.” It’s conjecture what she said and did, but regardless, she was just plain angry and beat down. Have you ever been in that position?

  

 It was at this point that Naomi made the decision to return to Bethlehem, a long dangerous journey of over 70 miles. You would have thought that when she finally reached her destination, alive and with her beloved Ruth at her side, she would have heaved a sigh of relief and rejoiced in God’s goodness to her. But that isn’t what she did. “The Almighty has greatly afflicted me,” she called out to them. Her physical appearance was so greatly altered from when she lived there that she was barely recognizable, stooped by grief, bitterness, and poverty.

Before we become too harsh with Naomi, think of all the adjustments you’ve had to make since the loss of your spouse. Perhaps you too have suffered loss of income, family home, and are afflicted with grief and loneliness. Naomi refused to hide her sorrow or bitterness. She believed in God’s sovereignty and attributed her suffering to His will.  I like this about Naomi. There was no pretense about her. She didn’t pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t. She didn’t respond with, “I’m fine, thank you,” when she felt like screaming. She was in the bosom of her own people and felt free to express her true feelings. I think Naomi’s advice to you would be to not play the martyr and say what you think is expected of you when trusted family and friends inquire. People ask how you are because they want to know, they’re concerned and want to be of help. Saying, “Oh, I’m okay,” or “I’m hanging in there,” doesn’t help you or them. Feelings are fickle; we know that. But, they are real to us when we experience them and Christ is touched with the feelings of our weaknesses.

  

 Be honest with yourself and your family/friends and solicit their prayers for your comfort and emotional well-being. God will hear yours and their prayers. In fact, He longs to do so and bring you back to total wellness again.

By Shari Hervold

New Jersey Friends Needing Friends Meeting - April 27,2015

There was a lot of fun and laughter at our April’s meeting in New Jersey.  It was decided to have a “hat parade” where each lady was to decorate a bonnet and there would be a prize for the prettiest.  The good Lord said in Esslesiastes 3:4 A time to weep and a time to laugh and that’s just what was planned, a time to laugh.

The winner for the prettiest hat was Mildred, and may God Bless her!

Enjoy seeing some of the ladies and their beautiful creations.

The guest speakers at this fun-filled meeting was Bonnie & Dan Pearson presenting Passover Table and The Seder Plate.

Thank you Diane Clark! You did a great job taking all of the above pictures.

REAL ADVICE FROM THE SISTERHOOD OF FNF

My dear Friends,

I was given a group of questionnaires concerning grief tips that our FNF members filled out. After reading and organizing them I felt there was more I should be getting from the information the ladies had shared. I reread them again and again. At last I prayed/asked the Holy Spirit to please show me what I was supposed to see. All of a sudden the meaning was so clear. There it was right in front of me, the questionnaire was all about how each person dealt with their own grief.

Their answers fell into seven categories:

1 The first was their faith. Whether reading the Bible, quiet time praying, singing songs of faith or simply keeping their Bible close to them even when they slept, their faith was what they turned to the most.

2 The second was keeping busy. Whether helping and/or comforting others, seeing people socially, entertaining, or just getting out for a cup of coffee, staying involved and occupied was a great help.

3 The third category was caring for yourself. This included eating healthy, getting exercise, having a manicure, a visit to the hair dresser or just being still and letting yourself go through the process of grief.

4 The information shared about songs was varied and included all types of music. Most of the songs were faith based or had special meaning.

5 Blessings received and recognized by the ladies were mainly acts of kindness and caring. In many different ways they acknowledged that God was in charge and sending exactly what was needed. The ladies responded that family and/or friends were what really touched them. A small kindness was as vividly remembered as was larger kindnesses.

6 Our Friends Needing Friends sisterhood along with support groups were counted among the most helpful blessings.

7 A caring hug was physical contact that meant so much and gratefully remembered.

So what did I really learn from this? Well, I realized that it is a blessing to know these ladies. That their Christian courage and love is something I could feel as I read through their responses. That no matter what they were going through, they came to understand and know that our loving God is in charge and will always be with each of us.

REAL ADVICE FROM THE WIDOWS OF

FRIENDS NEEDING FRIENDS

Tip #1   

Stay close to the word of God and believe that God will protect and provide for me. Sometimes when things would get rough for me, I would take my Bible to bed with me and put it on the pillow next to me.  D.A.

 Tip #2 

 Allow yourself to grieve and trust in the Lord to ease the pain.  R.B. 

Tip #3 

Prepare something special for a meal and invite another friend. Even though you don't feel up to it.  D.B.

Tip #4   Lots of prayer warriors that were also close friends. Also share my needs.  T.B.

Tip #5

Seek out female friends to help you stay active. Be willing to visit a senior center and accept invitations to lunch, a movie or other activities outside your home. Use any resource available to you. Stay active!   J.B.

Tip #6

Don't be hard on yourself if you feel down or cry. There is much strength to be found in tears. Remember, Jesus wept for Lazarus. God comforts us when we cry.  J.B.

Tip #7

Let go and let God. Trust in God to help you. Turn to family and friends and take care of yourself. Fix yourself up, do not stay home and become depressed. Share your grief with God and others. Join a support group like Friends Needing Friends.  S.D.

Tip #8

Keep busy, keep in touch with friends even if you don't feel like it.  Look for joy each day. Enjoy loved ones and let them know it.  B.D.

Tip #9

The love of God close to my heart. M.D.

Tip #10

 Being with children.  A.F.

Tip #11

When I am feeling lonely or low in spirit, I get out and do something for someone else. If I can't go in person I make a phone call or write a note. In the process I end up feeling better.  T.G.

Tip #12

Encourage a Friend who is grieving and invite her to FNF meetings.  J.H.

Tip #13

 I had my time of morning. I then kept myself very busy. I knew in my heart he was in a better place and I would join him someday.  P.H.

Tip #14

Call on Jesus. Pray and Bible reading with different devotionals.  R.H.

Tip #15

Be Still and know that I am God is a Bible verse that helped to keep me centered in my blessings.  D.H.

Tip #16

Believe that God will never leave you or forsake you. He is with you at all times.  E.K

Tip #17

Knowing that I was never alone. For Jesus promised that he will never leave me, nor forget me.

Paraphrasing Hebrews 13:5.   D.K.

Tip #18

Help and support others by listening and comforting.  M.K.

Tip #19

Pray without ceasing. Keep busy. Get back to church as soon as possible.  J.K.

Tip #20

Help my neighbor and others when needed.  M.M.

Tip 21

If I feel down, I get on my knees and ask for His help. He lifts me up and I can always feel his presence.  E.M.

Tip #22

Being with friends and family. Get out and go for a cup of coffee at the nearest restaurant.  R.P.

Tip #23

When feeling sad and alone, I stop at the local nursery and look at all the beautiful flowers God has made for us to enjoy. It lifts my spirits and makes me feel happy.  B.P.

Tip #24

Exercise even if you only walk. It really helps relieve the stress.  L.R.

Tip #25

Getting up and thanking God that I can stand up and walk.  S.S.

 By Terry Gibelli