God and suicide: a personal encounter
5.02.2010 | All Blog Posts, The Art of Suffering
Many around the world have listened to the MP3 of a raw sermon I preaching three days after my friend’s suicide. I wrote about it here on this blog with links to the audio sermon (the second, or 11am service, was more raw and pointed than the first). I’ve since edited the audio sermon (strictly oral sermons don’t make for very good written ones, so it needed some work).
I’m posting this for all who seek some spiritual perspective on the trauma and tragedy of suicide, and strategies for helping others and themselves through an honest and open encounter of mental illness—so necessary in our society today. I hope you’ll pass it around . . . for the good of us all.
Download the written sermon here: God and Suicide: A Personal Encounter
5.04.2010
Dear Dr. Erdman -
I just read your sermon given right after Jamie Evans death. I so appreciate your courage in speaking the truth about his journey. It is comforting to read your sermon and the truth about Jamie’s life. This is a profund message we all need to hear and become more open and supportive for others with this disease. Thank you for letting others, who love the Evans, in on your dear friendship with Jamie. May your ministry be powerfully blessed to be a blessing to many others.
Our family knew the Evans when Lou & Coke were pastors at our church, La Jolla Pres. Lou & my husband Owen used to fly small plans together and we have kept in touch with Coke through the years, attending Louie’s service at the Fresno church 1 1/2 yrs. ago.
I look forward to reading from your blog as I learn and practice more meditation and spiritual disciplines.
Warmest thanks for sharing your sermon on Jamie’s Memorial Facebook page.
With gratefulness,
Pat Wickstrand
Del Mar, CA
5.04.2010
Thank you, Pat. Nice to know of your longstanding history with the Evans family. May you grow in your practice of interior prayer. We always have more to learn. Grace to you and Owen.
2.26.2011
[...] here is a link to a written manuscript of the sermon and a post entitled, God and Suicide: A Personal [...]
3.06.2011
Chris,
I’m listening right now to your sermon dealing with your Buddy’s suicide..one which I’ve battled most of my life. I’ve tried it three times first as a 12 yr old after my sister died on Xmas morning. The facts are clergy were my worst enemy. In fact one week when I was at my darkest depression two so called friends called cops from distant states. Wanting I suppose to get immediate help they mis-stated everything, claiming I was armed and wanted to die immiately. I never communicated this nor was I armed in anyway. In minutes cops shot me twice in the leg, and tazed me three times. I was armed with a cell phone, they met me in the hallway outside my apt.. no shirt on, and 4 ft away. Those clergy continued to lie. I was left with four surgeries, $68,000 in bills and those clergy responding in a pious manner. What resulted is the loss of my soul… I now have very little true belief. I know clergy will betray me as Judas did with Christ. I know God is not listening and will not answer prayer. Perhaps we need to say right up front that we are cast alone into the darkness and must deal with it however we might.
Jim Waters, I may be still a priest yet I no longer minister for any hope has been lost.
3.08.2011
Jim, I will contact you via the email address on your website: sanctusinstitute@gmail.com