Tragic: Pastor Rick Warren announces son's suicide to congregation

Twitchy ^ | 04/06/2013 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

Rick Warren, founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., announced in a letter today that his son, Matthew, 27, committed suicide.

In his letter, Warren wrote that "after a fun evening together with [wife] Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life." He also recalled a time years ago when Matthew asked him, "Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Why can't I just die and end this pain?"

[2nd amendment mama]

And exactly how do you know that Rick Warren didn’t do that? Are you all knowing that they did nothing to help their son? You are, as usual, just assuming. You know what that makes you, don’t you? An ass!

[Finny]

Canadian, what in Lera's post where she opines that Warren's preaching goes against the Gospel (I agree, having read "Purpose Driven Life" and having been disgusted with Warren's role in Obama/McCain electioneering and enabling politicians that promote amoral government to shackle Christian morality, and a few other things), could remotely be construed as "gossip"? Not an admonition, merely a question.

Lera, good post. Gutsy and true. I find myself compelled to pray for the soul of the young man who committed suicide, not for his dad, who presumably has spiritual resources within and around him to suffice -- he's a pastor of a huge church, for crying out loud! His son seems not to have had those spiritual resources of strength, the poor soul. May God find and comfort him, and any and all who contemplate suicide, and may Jesus take their hand and love them, save them at the last moment before their dying breath. Jesus is the one who saves.

[what's up]

My faith is the only thing that keeps me alive.

Amen to that.

There's lots of false "answers" out there.

But God's Word and faith and have been the only real answers for me.

Someone on another thread posted this scripture as medicine for the soul...they said it kept them sane in the midst of depression:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; — 2 Corinthians 10:5

[what's up]

Remember, Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee? When he focused on Jesus, he could walk on the water, yet when he looked away, he sank. (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21)

Another good scripture to help keep one sane.

[deport]

Another thread if anyone is interested in the comments thereon:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3004910/posts?

[napscoordinator]

Then prove it to me big lady. Where your proof ditzy?

[wastoute]

C’mon, if you know about Pastor Rick “going over to the Dark Side” you probably shouln’t be so hard on a fellow FReeper.

[HereInTheHeartland]

It wasn’t the time or place to make the comment.

[2nd amendment mama]

Then prove it to me big lady. Where your proof ditzy?Here's my proof. This shows you to be an ass again! You just love to criticize others. You should take care of your house before throwing stones at others!

From the link below:

"Unfortunately, he also suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts. Despite the best health care available, this was an illness that was never fully controlled and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life." and

"Over the years, Matthew Warren had been treated by America's best doctors, had received counseling and medication and been the recipient of numerous prayers from others, his father said.

Still, he struggled over the years.

"I'll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said `Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Why can't I just die and end this pain?"' Warren recalled.

Pastor Rick Warren's son commits suicide

[Nita Nupress]

Another thread if anyone is interested in the comments thereon: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3004910/posts?

lol! Troublemaker. (I'm assuming you read all those comments.)

[Lera]

Rick is playing with fire in attempting to convert Muslims unless he can clearly distinguish between Muslims who want to kill you and Muslims who want to be friends, but I haven’t seen anything personally that he is compromising his Christian beliefs or preaching anything against scripture at all.

You are kidding me right ?
First he isn't attempting to convert muslims , he is opening dialog with them to find common ground .
This is not Biblical .


Believers are not suppose to convert anyone . That is not our job , that job belongs to the Holy Spirit. Our job is to preach the Gospel and give an answer to any that ask why we believe what we believe.


If Believers in this country do not preach the Gospel to the muslims here then it won't be long before we look like the middle east . Catholics in the middle east do not preach the Gospel to the muslims and there is no change of heart in the muslim population , they have dialog . Take a good look at how much that dialog is doing them right now as they are being slaughtered in places like Syria.

Contrast that with what is happening in Israel at places like Kehilat HaCarmel where you have Russians/Jews/Arabs (both former muslims and former Catholics/Druze (former muslims) all worshiping together and loving the country of Israel because the REAL GOSPEL (not a social gospel) was preached to them and it changed their hearts. (Keliat HaCarmel is a Messianic congregation )

[JaguarXKE]

Thanks Judge.

[woofie]

amen

[JaguarXKE]

People should educate themselves about mental illness. There is so much misinformation, misunderstanding and ignorance out there about the topic it is truly disheartening. People "think" they know about mental illness, but often they only know what they hear in the media. (And I speak as a Father with a son who has Schizoaffective Disorder). The incidence of suicide among people suffering from mental illness is much higher than in the general population. Most people haven't a clue what people with mental illness are suffering - usually in silence because of the unfair stigma surrounding mental illness.

I teach a 12-week class called "Family-to-Family" to help families better understand and deal with a loved one with mental illness. My co-teacher is VERY involved in NAMI and tried everything to help her ill daughter. Yet her daughter died a couple of months ago despite the families very best efforts to help. Sometimes there is no answer.

On a side note, many people may not know that Abraham Lincoln suffered from debilitating depression. In the aforementioned class I teach, we cite a quote from Lincoln regarding his depression:

"I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth. Whether I shall ever be better I can not tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me."

[sagar]

“Thoughts of suicide are nothing new to me.

Slamming my car into a bridge at 120 mph.

Jumping from my 20th floor balcony.

My faith is the only thing that keeps me alive.”

You should get help fast. Real medical help and quarantine. Not for you, but for others when you “slam” your car in a busy traffic and destroy others’ lives. Having only your faith is no solace...

[napscoordinator]

Well the crazy kid offed himself. Selfish and you are honoring and praising him. Astonishing. You call me an ass daily. Big woop.

[2nd amendment mama]

Selfish and you are honoring and praising him.

Do you have any reading comprehension? Where in the hell did I honor or praise the kid? You're truly demented. I simply gave you the proof that you asked for to prove that Rick Warren did help his child not simply ignore him like you alleged.

[napscoordinator]

Demented. How nice. No wonder you are the cheerleader. You must be a blast at home. If I were you, I would check on your kids. God only knows the terror they must face on a daily basis.

[AppyPappy]

This was Rick Warren’s devotion yesterday

Saturday, April 06, 2013

You Need a Battle Buddy
by Rick Warren

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.” (James 5:16 NCV)

People don’t go to war by themselves. It would be a suicide mission. Someone has to have your back. [snip]

[2nd amendment mama]

No wonder you are the cheerleader.

What the heck are you talking about? Exactly what am I a cheerleader for? Obviously you have a reading problem and are twisting what I've posted. I have simply offered proof to you that Rev. Warren stood beside his son and provided him with extensive treatment - as opposed to you who alleged that he simply walked away from his son and did nothing.