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….”
Jordan Blake Watts
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
“Suffer With Me”
Those words cited in the title, written by Paul to a young Timothy, are sobering to be sure. (2 Timothy 2:3) But, they take on a new - painful - meaning when we suffer. I've always said that "suffering as Christians" is that side of the gospel we rarely hear preached about on Sundays. Something … Continue reading “Suffer With Me”
Moving at the Speed of Grief
"Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:6) The familiar Kubler-Ross Five Stages of Grief are intended to be a model, not a rule. Grief is messy, violent, complicated and discombobulating. People are unique. The circumstances surrounding a person's grief is unique. So, it should be no surprise that … Continue reading Moving at the Speed of Grief
The Question No Christian Wants to be Forced to Answer
We’d love nothing more than to have our son, Jordan Watts, back. But, I remember something Jordan said in a video that was played at his Memorial Service: “If God were to take all my fingers away I would love him just the same.” (Jordan was an artist and his hands were his life.) Jordan’s … Continue reading The Question No Christian Wants to be Forced to Answer
The “Choice” of Suicide
I like Matt Walsh. I like a lot of his blogs and tweets. I'll continue to read them every now & then. I not only read every word of Walsh’s original blog on Robin William's suicide, I took notes so I wouldn’t be guilty of misquoting him. I have also read Walsh’s follow-up blog – … Continue reading The “Choice” of Suicide