Saw this post today: "A person who loses their marriage partner is called a widow, or widower. A child who loses their parents is called an orphan. But there is no word to describe a parent who loses a child, because the loss is like no other." My dad died of alcoholism in 2000. He … Continue reading “Nick, How Many Children Do You Have?”
Jordan Blake Watts
“True North”
"The grief following suicide is so raw and real, primal and human, even people of faith must often battle just to ride it out, to render it livable....How one grieves depends on what one believes....The counsel of Scripture secures us with a stabilizing beam of truth - beginning with a single word: hope....Your pain cannot … Continue reading “True North”
Embattled Healing
"But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish." (Isaiah 9:1) Six months ago today my son took his own life. And everything changed. A week ago this past Friday I had a breakdown so severe that Michelle almost had to take me to the hospital. One week ago today, I had … Continue reading Embattled Healing
Double Time (Job)
In Job 42:12, God blessed Job with TWICE what he had lost in chapters 1 & 2. The number of livestock listed in this verse is double the number cited in 1:3. However, in 42:13, God replaced the number of children Job had lost, 10, with only another 10. This begs the question, "Why double … Continue reading Double Time (Job)
What’s in a Name? (Job)
"What's in a name?" - Biblically, a lot. The covenant name God used for Himself in the Old Testament is actually four letters, "YHWH." (Scholars refer to it as a "tetragrammaton," which, in Greek, means "four letters.") Vowels were later added to give us the name "Yahweh" which, when pronounced correctly, sounds like a breath. … Continue reading What’s in a Name? (Job)
Shock Absorbtion
My friends, i so appreciate the prayer for me & my family over the weekend. I now am convinced I reverted back into shock this past Friday evening. It was frightening. I lost sight of the reality of Jesus - and all hell broke loose in my mind. But, Christ is faithful (not to mention … Continue reading Shock Absorbtion
Wanting My Day in Court
I read the book of Job (the "o" in Job is "long") differently since May 13th. Job lost ten children - i lost only one. But, I think the death of merely one child can send a parent over the edge. I love the man, Job, because he gives me biblical permission to accuse God … Continue reading Wanting My Day in Court
Losing My Way. And Finding It Again.
I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers/notes/love for me last night. In hindsight, I can think of a number of things that triggered it, but not since the early days following Jordan's death have I been filled with as much rage and pain as yesterday. It … Continue reading Losing My Way. And Finding It Again.
Fields of Faith
On October 24th, my 17 year old daughter, Macy, was given the opportunity to speak at FCA's "Fields of Faith" event at AT&T Jones Stadium here in Lubbock. Over 8000 were in attendance. Macy spoke about the grace of Jesus Christ, and how that grace has given the Watts family strength since her brother/our son … Continue reading Fields of Faith
I Thought You Were Dead!!
There are 8 recorded cases in the Bible - in addition to the resurrection of Christ - where a person is raised from the dead. I always thought these stories were intriguing before. But now, since May 13th, I think afresh of how the families must've felt when their loved one was brought back to … Continue reading I Thought You Were Dead!!