Don’t Be Afraid: answering a great question about the loss of a child During the summer of 2019, I gave my presentation on suicide awareness & intervention at the YWCA here in Lubbock. About 30 teens attended. What a precious group! One girl raised her hand toward the end of the talk and asked, “Can … Continue reading Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Suicide
When & How Do I Talk to my Child About the topic of Suicide?
After speaking in public schools on this topic I am often asked by students and parents a number of questions I don't have time to address in my presentation. I thought I would offer brief answers to one of those questions here in 2 parts: When and How Should I Talk to my Child About … Continue reading When & How Do I Talk to my Child About the topic of Suicide?
What to Say to a Person Considering Suicide
Here's the scenario... You have good reason to believe (or, at least, strongly suspect) a friend or loved one is considering taking their own life. First of all, should you say anything? YES. Always err on the side of caution. If you're wrong, you've lost nothing. But, if you're right - you've just might have … Continue reading What to Say to a Person Considering Suicide
The Old Rugged Cross
NOTE: I wrote this four months after finding my 19 year old son after he'd taken his own life... There have been moments these past months that I've wanted to give up on God. I'm simply being honest. As one who grew up in a violent, alcoholic home, I witnessed more violence as a child … Continue reading The Old Rugged Cross
The God Who Hurts Us
“Yet is was the Lord’s will to crush [his Son] and cause him to suffer...” (Isaiah 53:10) I’ve studied the book of Job (the “o” in “Job” is long as in “stove”) numerous times. But, until recently, I haven’t had the courage to read it devotionally (daily readings) since 2013 when my 19 year old … Continue reading The God Who Hurts Us
Wall Street Journal: How to Spot Teen Depression
This article from the Wall Street Journal appeared in their May 5, 2018, edition. For your convenience, the entire article is included here. Depression is the number one mental condition associated with suicide. nw How to Spot Teenage Depression New guidelines focus on helping better identify teens who may be struggling with depression, as rates … Continue reading Wall Street Journal: How to Spot Teen Depression
Wall Street Journal: Increase in Teen Suicidal Behavior
The Wall Street Journal article below appeared in their May 18, 2018, edition. I have included the article in its entirety here for your convenience. nw LIFE Youth Suicidal Behavior Is on the Rise, Especially Among Girls Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among 10- to 24-year-olds in 2016, up from third place in … Continue reading Wall Street Journal: Increase in Teen Suicidal Behavior
To Those Who’ve Lost a Loved One to Suicide
May 13th is the day I dread. But May 12th is the day that haunts me. It’s the last day I saw my son alive. The last day I talked to him, and he to me. When I speak in schools on suicide awareness & intervention I close my talk with the following question because, … Continue reading To Those Who’ve Lost a Loved One to Suicide
A Psalm of Nick Watts
Reading through the Psalms you commonly see the following subheadings: a psalm of David, or a psalm of Asaph,... I’ll never forget what I once heard one of my professors say: “A psalm is simply a person’s response to God’s activity in their life.” That’s why, in the Psalms, we see the full gamut of … Continue reading A Psalm of Nick Watts
When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s
This past week, on a Tuesday morning, I swung through the drive-though at a local McDonald's for a warm, robust beverage on my way to work. After placing my order I promptly pulled up to the first window to pay for said beverage where I was warmly greeted by a woman at the window who … Continue reading When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s