My blog will be eclectic as a whole. I will post everything from Bible Studies, Sermons to Basic Journaling. 
My Dad's suicide and salvation!
I want some opinions or feedback I don’t know which it is but some of you know that my father shot himself in the head on Jan. 14, 1989 at 8:15 pm and died in my arms at 10:35 pm. Now there is a reason for me giving the times. When he shot himself he had been living a Christian life a very strict one at that. On Jan.13 1989 he relapsed into his drug and alcohol addiction. I guess he couldn’t handle life’s stressors and that was the problem solving skill he had been taught when the going gets tough to kill yourself. Seeing as his father, Grandfather, Great-Grandpa, Uncles and two brothers have all killed themselves before the age of fifty. My father was 34 at the time now I am the oldest male in my Hill side of the family.
My question is one that has been impossible for me to study or find an educated answer to in my years of Christian, Biblical and Theological studies. My father lived for one hour and 2o minutes before he died. During this time I held him and prayed we laid hands on him and prayed and so on. The physician said he could hear and comprehend. He died the minute after I held him and prayed the prayer that he is forgiven and that I would be ok. Then he let his last breath. This could be coincidental but I have always looked at it as he couldn’t let go until he knew he was alright in god’s eyes (Forgiven) and that I was going to be ok and that I forgave him. Over the year I solace in this.
I am old enough now and strong enough in my faith that I can handle this question and the answers. Is he forgiven is it possible or was it too late. Could he have possibly had time to ask forgiveness and was that enough?
Please don't feel like youre going to hurt my feelings and not post I can handle it!
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My question is one that has been impossible for me to study or find an educated answer to in my years of Christian, Biblical and Theological studies. My father lived for one hour and 2o minutes before he died. During this time I held him and prayed we laid hands on him and prayed and so on. The physician said he could hear and comprehend. He died the minute after I held him and prayed the prayer that he is forgiven and that I would be ok. Then he let his last breath. This could be coincidental but I have always looked at it as he couldn’t let go until he knew he was alright in god’s eyes (Forgiven) and that I was going to be ok and that I forgave him. Over the year I solace in this.
I am old enough now and strong enough in my faith that I can handle this question and the answers. Is he forgiven is it possible or was it too late. Could he have possibly had time to ask forgiveness and was that enough?
Please don't feel like youre going to hurt my feelings and not post I can handle it!
__________________
Pastor Rick Hill Jr. D.Div.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
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[URL="http://imageshack.us"][IMG]http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9171/rickkepw2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I appreciate you sharing with us. I do believe the time factor is a very good thing to look upon. I've posted to your thread~ Bless you [/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER] |
 
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Rick -
Only God knows your father's heart. I certainly believe it is possible that he came to a saving knowledge of Christ. I have known believers and non-believers who have taken their life and feel a sense of deep but angry loss. Just last year my wife lost a dear friend who was the maid of honor in our wedding back to suicide. She came from a Christian background, went to a Christian college but had a troubled life. Just recently I completed a book on recovery written by William C Moyers titled Broken. Although not a strong evangelical book in its perspective, I feel it is quite helpful in learning about the pain, private and otherwise, that people with addictions go through. Perhaps this was your father's demon, but as Moyer's states in his book you are here to share from your growth that your pain has taught and brought you from. God is greater than all our yesterdays! |
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Well, I think he committed a sin when shooting himself but he was alive when you guys were praying. Right? If he asked for forgiveness then he was forgiven. Also, our lord is merciful and if he committed the sin while under the influence of drugs and alcohol then his mind was impaired and he might of have hallucinated from time to time before the accident. If he's asked for forgiveness and he was truly sorry (in his heart) before he died then I strongly believe your father is in heaven next to our savior. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Are we forgiven for all of our sins? or just the one's that we repent of? Didn't Christ die for all of our sins? God sees all sins as equal. If your dad committed suicide and went to hell then few of us have any hope. If I tell a lie or a dirty joke, if I steal a pen or linger too long at a lengerie add and die only minutes or seconds later then Christ's death is for nothing. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him, the world might be saved. I don't think it is Biblical to say that God sends people to hell for bad timing. Based on this it matters not. The question is, was he ever saved.
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God's saving grace is sufficient for each and every sin a person commits. Note: Saving grace. If you father had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, then the saving grace of Jesus Christ covers each and every sin. Those prior to salvation and those after salvation. Christ's sufficiency is adequate for all sin. Suicide is a sin just as any murder, rape, theft, lust is a sin. Each and every sin is covered by the grace of God. Key is: your father's salvation. Yes, he could have asked forgiveness at the point of death and that would have been wonderful. However, if he had ALREADY received the forgiveness of sins prior to this horrendous act, he is covered by the grace of God.
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Recent Blog Entries by Rev_Rick
- Evil does as we let it! But Through Faith we can win! (04-22-2008)
- My Dad's suicide and salvation! (11-27-2007)
- I am so excited... (11-09-2007)
- Tiger Cub Night!! (11-08-2007)
- The Work Of The Holy Spirit (11-08-2007)
