Julie Yarbrough

Julie Yarbrough takes us on a thoughtful and sacred journey to the inner recesses of the most fundamental of human experiences—grief. Gently, she encourages the reader to release fear and examine grief’s complexity as an individual and communal phenomenon. For those of us who have wept the bitter tears of loss, this book is a welcome balm to the soul.

Dr. Maria A. Dixon Hall

Chief Diversity Officer, Southern Methodist University

Julie Yarbrough attends to grief in a way that provides for us all. There is personal, private grief over loss suffered alone. There is also shared, collective grief over the large calamities suffered by all. Grief provides us a way ahead, difficult though it may be. And Julie provides us both thoughtfulness and companionship for the journey. These reflections and resources of the spirit reorient and remind us that we are not alone and not without direction.

Dr. Gil Rendle

Consultant, author & Sr. Vice President of the Texas Methodist Foundation (retired), author of Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World

With each turn of page, readers of Present Comfort will come to know Julie as a new friend who has a vulnerable, compassionate, and courageous heart–just like them. They will be informed about new varieties and components of grief in our modern world and will be comforted by hearing the presence of God in new contexts that lead them to live and move and have their being in love that is stronger than death.

Dr. Fran Tilton Shelton

Founder of Faith & Grief Ministries and author of No Winter Lasts Forever: A Memoir of Loving Bob and Loathing Alzheimer’s

Julie Yarbrough’s extraordinary work invites us to encounter the very presence of God through biblically grounded insights into the nature of grief that engage the mind and touch the heart as she takes us on a journey toward spiritual and emotional wholeness. Present Comfort is an essential resource to help us faithfully and deftly navigate the path of life.

Rev. Robert Hasley

Founding Pastor, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas

In Present Comfort, Julie Yarbrough mindfully and compassionately shepherds the reader through the vast, precarious landscape of grief. By inviting the reader into her personal challenges with grief, Julie becomes a kindred spirit rather than dispassionate expert. This book transcends the realm of self-help books and becomes a ministry of hope and reassurance.

Dr. Stephen L. Hines

MD, FACP, hospice physician

Julie Yarbrough draws from her personal experiences and her deep Christian faith to offer an excellent resource for one who is living with grief. I commend it to clergy and counselors as they will find rich and helpful resources for their own vocations in working with people who are struggling with grief.

Bishop Michael McKee

North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

In Present Comfort Julie Yarbrough eloquently gives voice to the experience of loss, both personal and societal, and provides reassurance of God’s steadfast presence in each moment. Individuals and groups alike will find Present Comfort: Meditations on Modern Loss and Grief a powerful compendium for working through the layers of grief to find a place of trust and joy we thought unimaginable.

Rev. Connie L. Nelson

Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

I wish I had had this marvelous resource available several years ago when I lost my wife of 48 years to cancer. Julie’s deep faith, compassionate wisdom, and unconditional love shine through her words to touch and heal our hearts. Give this book to anyone you know who has suffered loses and they will be comforted and strengthened for the journey ahead.

Dr. Kent Millard

President, United Theological Seminary

In this exceptional volume of meditations, Julie Yarbrough has provided a fountain of wisdom, insight, honesty, and hope. This book of meditations can be diligently read as a whole volume or digested in daily doses to renew our reliance on God, who is with us as a present comfort in time of grief.

Dr. William B. Lawrence

Professor Emeritus of American Church History, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University and Research Fellow, Duke Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition

Julie’s newest work is many things: wise, biblical, poetic. But, most of all, it’s truly helpful. There are certain writers who radiate comfort. Julie is one of those. And Present Comfort could not be more timely.

Rev. Paul Rasmussen

Senior Pastor, Highland Park United Methodist Church

Present Comfort is a rich exploration of the sacred space of grief. Filled with deep spiritual insight and her own personal story, Julie Yarbrough writes in exquisite prose to lead her readers through the “valley of the shadow” into the bright hope of God’s love, joy and new life.

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie

Texas Methodist Foundation, Leadership Formation

In her newest book, Present Comfort, Julie Yarbrough gives us rich language to understand the complexity of grief. Weaving scripture with personal experience and insights, she invites us not only to face our grief, but to embrace it. In today’s climate, Present Comfort can be just that: a comforting companion for a weary soul, a reminder that we are not alone as we walk through the valley.

Rev. Lisa Greenwood

Vice President of Leadership Ministry, Texas Methodist Foundation

In her new book, Present Comfort: Meditations on Modern Loss and Grief, author Julie Yarbrough beautifully and masterfully explores the human experience of loss and grief through the spiritual lens of Hope, Grace, and Peace. She invites us to connect with the spirit of who we are and who we were created to be, inviting us to know the everlasting love of those we grieve and that they will always be with us in spirit and love.

Rev. Caesar Rentie

Vice President of Pastoral Services, Methodist Health System of Dallas

With the rich resources of Scripture, poetry, and stories, Present Comfort is a marvelous exposition of one of the grand themes of the Bible; that “God is with us,” especially in the darkest and most difficult times in our lives. This is simply a wonderfully “hope-full” book for all of us in uncertain and challenging seasons in our lives.

Tom Locke

President, Texas Methodist Foundation

Julie Yarbrough has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and experienced the pain and anguish of great grief, and she knows firsthand the comfort and strength that only God can provide. I commend this remarkable grief ministry program to you highly.

James W. Moore

Pastor in Residence, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas

Julie Yarbrough weaves understanding, care, and comfort together in such a way that the seemingly intolerable becomes tolerable, one breath at a time. This resource provides everything you need to promote, establish, and conduct grief groups throughout the year.

Judith Bone

Director of Adult Discipleship, Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee

A gift to those who face the difficult journey through the grieving process. I highly recommend this program, not only for those who have lost, but also for those in the helping professions who offer guidance and counsel to the grieving.

Ann Reese

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

With wisdom informed by her own experience and a warm regard for those who grieve, Julie Yarbrough guides the brokenhearted on an honest journey toward acceptance and hope. A refreshingly excellent resource for grief support.

Stephen Bauman

Senior Minister, Christ Church, New York City

An authentic and helpful gift from one who has responded to the call of God to be a faithful steward of her own grief for the sake of others.

Zan Holmes

Pastor Emeritus, St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas