Shaping Families

The Bible and Suicide

“It was devastating. She just sort of removed herself, pulled back from her friends and her family. I could see the signs but there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.” -- Lloyd Carr

What does the Bible say about suicide? And how has it been treated throughout Christian history? After their daughter-in-law took her own life, Lloyd and Gwen Carr went on a journey of searching both in their hearts and into the Bible. The Carrs share the personal and biblical insights they gained.

Listen - Transcript - Study Guide

Frog Hollow Journal

Sam Heatwole

I grew up thinking that the reconciliation of Jesus had to do only with being forgiven of my guilt and sin so I could get right with God. But what we were learning in Frog Hollow was that being reconciled to God opened up a vast array of new possibilities, and that whatever remained of my lifetime called for me to work at reconciliation in my world—with my family, neighbors, enemies perceived and enemies real, the environment, the body public, in fact, every element in the world around me.

Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide, Candy Neely Arrington

The Myths of Suicide

As a youth I didn’t much question the belief that suicide was one of those unforgivable sins whose consequences were certain hellfire. (It was right up there with smoking and dancing. Or washing your car on Sunday. In fact there weren’t many things one could do that didn’t smack of condemnation, both immediate and eternal!) That seemed to be the standard belief of my church compatriots.

Families who have experienced suicide face a bewildering mix of emotions from raw anger and confusion to guilt, shame, and depression. And when suicide affects the entire family from adults to children, how do families cope? Gail and Fred Fox share their personal experience next week and the faith and resources that can help families survive suicide.

Lemon Green Bean Salad

“This recipe brings back memories of summer in Oregon,” says Jodi Nisly Hertzler. Jodi is a writer and stay-at-home mom who answers questions people write in to Third Way Media about Mennonites. She goes on to say, “ Our best friends there served it regularly, usually garnished with colorful (edible) pansies. It was a delicious way to make use of the surfeit of beans from their garden. Perfect for a picnic or a potluck."

• Shaping Families Update - May 19
• Shaping Families Update - May 12
• Shaping Families Update - May 5
• Shaping Families Update - April 28

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