How this Unbelievable Grief Story can Give You Hope

The thought that I can be transformed through my grief with all my losses, and transformed into a better person, a better version of me, is ludicrous to a lot of people, including this guy. For a long time, I thought my past defined me, instead of propelling me. I thought my past, with the… Continue reading How this Unbelievable Grief Story can Give You Hope

Finding hope in Grief – Spark of Life Hero Thomas

There are three things about heroes that I think most of you know. At Spark of Life, heroes abound everywhere. The thing about heroes at Spark of Life is, number one, real heroes don’t consider themselves heroes. They don’t even know they’re a hero. Number two, at Spark of Life nobody wants to be a… Continue reading Finding hope in Grief – Spark of Life Hero Thomas

Hope is a sacred place

We have 11 grievers at the 111th Spark of Life retreat who have taught us so much already. Hello, I’m Dave Mathews from Spark of Life, and I want to share with you the one important thing for a healthy recovery after a loss that these grievers have taught us. At Spark of Life, we… Continue reading Hope is a sacred place

3 Things You Must Do to Find Joy Again After Loss

Can there really be joy and happiness again after experiencing horrific loss? Thousands we have worked with have asked this question, and thousands have taught us that the answer is a resounding ‘Yes.’ So the next question is how? How does one lose the dearest on earth to them and not just exist forward, but… Continue reading 3 Things You Must Do to Find Joy Again After Loss

How to Turn ‘Give Up’ to ‘Get Up’ After Loss

Have you ever felt defeated and overwhelmed by your losses?? See how one Spark of Life participant, on the verge of quitting, found hope. Bob did not want to be at our grief retreat. He came because his wife ‘persuaded’ him. Their daughter had died by suicide a few months earlier. Mary, Bob’s wife, was… Continue reading How to Turn ‘Give Up’ to ‘Get Up’ After Loss

3 Things You Must Do When the Love of Your Life Leaves

THE GPS RESPONSE WHEN THE LOVE OF MY LIFE LEAVES ME Grief is often narrowly defined as how we feel when someone we love dies. But we do know there are many non-death losses that result in deep grief as well.  One such loss is when someone I love decides to not love me any… Continue reading 3 Things You Must Do When the Love of Your Life Leaves

3 Things to Do When Life Sucks and Grief Overwhelms

When life sucks and grief hits you, and loss overwhelms you, what in the world do you do? Three points that hopefully help you: # 1 Look at Others Number one, I want to encourage you to look at others who have somehow been there and done that, and have made it through the suckiness… Continue reading 3 Things to Do When Life Sucks and Grief Overwhelms

Grief and Faith: Can They Coexist?

Julie is a “God” person who once thought she had a deep faith. When her 10-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver, naturally, deep grief and sorrow followed and questions concerning God began to dominate. She felt guilty that she had such questions and questioned not only God but also her faith. “Something is… Continue reading Grief and Faith: Can They Coexist?

When Pastors Experience Deep Loss

When I was contemplating entering the ministry as my profession, a trusted mentor warned me with these words: “David, many people assume that there are three sexes – female, male, and pastors.”   At the time, being 20-years old, I didn’t quite get it. However, after being in ministry for over 40 years, I have gained… Continue reading When Pastors Experience Deep Loss

An Excerpt from “Why Do You Hurt Me God?”

Note: The following section is an excerpt from my book Why Do You Hurt Me God? Stacy’s attack stunned me. “I am so #!$% angry at God! Tell me David, where the #@%& was this so-called good and great God when my baby boy needed him the most? I used to believe in this God.… Continue reading An Excerpt from “Why Do You Hurt Me God?”