My spirit is crushed,….Where then is my hope?” Job 17:1, 15 “My spirit is crushed,….Where then is my hope?” Honest statement. Honest question. It’s one of the reasons I love reading the Bible. It’s unsanitized, unedited, raw, and brutally honest. When Job made his statement, and asked his question, he had recently buried all ten … Continue reading Hope on the Rock(s)
Grief
Grief is a Part of Life – for Now
"Weeping may last for the night, but Joy comes in the morning." (Ps 30:5) In Sep., 2015, shortly after completing nine days in the Psychiatric Ward of our local hospital (I ended up there due to a cluster of triggers associated with my 19 year old son's suicide), I sat in my counselor's office and … Continue reading Grief is a Part of Life – for Now
Suicide and the Bible – Part 2 of 2
After recently reading my original blog, Suicide and the Bible, a reader kindly asked a common question: I was reading your "Suicide and the Bible"..and I just have a question. I'm genuinely curious to know what you think about this. So you're saying nowhere in the Bible does it say suicide will send you to … Continue reading Suicide and the Bible – Part 2 of 2
“Awakenings” (sermon excerpt)
From a Roman prison Paul wrote, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened [flooded with light] in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,..." (Ephesians 1:18) Below is the link to the final 9 minutes of the sermon I preached this past Sunday. What you … Continue reading “Awakenings” (sermon excerpt)
“For Narnia….”
I wrote this the early morning of Jan. 21st.... For Narnia... My friends, in a few hours I will begin the first of three speaking sessions on the topic of Depression. Having been invited to speak at today's Region 17 Summit Conference (for regional high school students), to be held at the Lubbock Civic Center. … Continue reading “For Narnia….”
What I Learned While Speaking to Students About Depression
Moments prior to my first speaking session on Wed. morning, Jan. 21st, I felt like I was going to be sick. Knowing my son died as a result of depression, the "weight" of the topic was beginning to crush me. I was having trouble breathing. But, as they say, a funny thing happened to me … Continue reading What I Learned While Speaking to Students About Depression
“…that man who lost his son…”
Unbelievable. I spoke three separate times on Wed., Jan. 21st, to regional high school students on the topic of clinical/chronic depression. In each session, I made the following comment: "Having a son of my own who died as a result of clinical depression...., I must tell you, honestly, I did not want to do this. … Continue reading “…that man who lost his son…”
When Jesus Rang My Doorbell
Maybe it was because of the emotion associated with seeing the movie, American Sniper. Maybe it was that our daughter, Macy, was on a school related retreat (making our home feel awfully quiet.) Or, maybe it was as simple as just missing our son. All I know is that the past weekend was hard for … Continue reading When Jesus Rang My Doorbell
Dear Jordan, Merry Christmas, My Son…
Dear Jordan, Merry Christmas, my son. We worshipped Jesus this morning (just like you did). Kelsie sang a mini-concert. She sang about the King you now see with your own eyes. (The photo below was taken after church this morning.) I don't have a lot to say. I simply wanted you to know something: we're … Continue reading Dear Jordan, Merry Christmas, My Son…
Atheism Failed Me
You know - I tried to disprove the existence of God - immediately after finding my 19-year-old son dead in his bedroom from suicide. I looked at the most recent, most compelling evidence to make God sound like a ludicrous alternative. I looked at the best arguments from the best atheists, both in modern & … Continue reading Atheism Failed Me