Thank You For Your Prayers

Lindsay and I would like to thank everyone who take time out of their busy lives to pray for us and our family during the past week.

It's so nice to know that our "family" extends beyond blood and beyond our local church as evidenced by all the comments written here by all of you. It truly means a lot to us to know that there are people around the world that we've never met who have been lifting us up in prayer. Again, thank you.

Ephesians 2:8 - - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"

All week long, this verse was in a constant loop in my mind. Whenever a tragedy like this occurs, the question on everyone’s mind is "Why?" As the details of a life lost emerged, it truly dark, sad, and tragic picture emerged.

Naturally, human nature tends to push one's thoughts to places you really don't want to go. Personally, and without getting into all the specifics, I will say that there were a few brief moments throughout the week where I believe the Lord allowed me to feel a sense of fear that was unlike anything I could experience in my normal, day-to-day life. In fact, I've only experienced this sensation twice in my entire life up until this past week.

Each time, I was reminded that the only way to receive comfort and refuge was in Him since He was the only possible way out of it all. At one point, I even thought of the end times "men's hearts failing them for fear" verse in Luke 21:26. Lord have mercy on those poor souls that that piece of Scripture is referring to!

While there are never any easy answers, we need to pray that the Holy Spirit reminds us of who God is. He is truly a merciful God. Those who are adamant that a person who takes his life is "committing a mortal sin, and will go to Hell" are basing their belief on Church doctrine - - not on what the Holy Bible (God’s Word) tells us.

Please take comfort in knowing that Scripture is COMPLETELY silent on the subject. There are no verses that say, "He who takes his own life shall be damned." According to Scripture, only ONE sin does not have forgiveness, and that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That means there IS forgiveness for every other sin.

Some quote 1 Corinthians 3:17, which says that God will destroy someone who defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is a disagreement about what it means to "defile" the "temple," which is the human body that holds the Holy Spirit.

Surely, suicide is NOT singled out and NOT what is meant here. Otherwise, if that were the case, then it would have to include everything else like illicit drug use (slow suicide), prescription drug abuse, smoking (deliberately breathing in poisons that will eventually kill), tattoos, over-eating (digging a grave with your spoon), and alcohol abuse. In other words, for someone to make suicide such an "unpardonable sin" is dangerous and sad, and completely un-Biblical.

God forbid that we add to the pain of someone who has lost a loved one through the tragedy of suicide, by making a judgment about their eternal destiny. God is the ultimate judge, and we should therefore leave the issue in His hands. It would be very wise to follow the Biblical example and not come to any verdict in the case of suicide.

We are all familiar with the 23rd Psalm. Its comforting message is well known even among non-believers. This renowned psalm was written by King David, and its most famous passage is contained in the opening verse: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." In this brief verse, David gives us yet another reflection of the Lord’s character and nature.

He knows every pain we endure, every tear we shed, every hurt we feel. He knows when we’re too weary to go another step. He knows just how much we can take. Most of all, he knows how to rescue us and bring us to a place of healing. Time after time, our Shepherd comes after us, fetches us, and takes us to a place of rest. He continually makes us lie down for a time of healing and restoration.

The picture here is glorious: Our Shepherd offers to come to us in the midst of our pain and depressed condition, and to sit by our side. He promises to bind up our wounds and strengthen the parts of us that have become sick and diseased.

Our great Shepherd tells us, "I want to restore you. And I’m going to do it by being present with you, even in the valley and shadow of death. My presence will be with you through everything the devil throws at you. Even if you try to run from me, I’m going to chase after you. And when I catch you, I am going to take you in my arms and carry you back to my rest. Then I’ll bind up your wounds and heal all your sicknesses."

This is who God is and what He is like.

Let’s all rest in Him and His promises during any difficult time we may have.