As some of you may have heard, Pastor Rick Warren, author of the best-selling A Purpose Driven Life and founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., has suffered the terrible loss of his son, Matthew Warren (age 27) to suicide.
Matthew had battled severe emotional issues and mental illness all of his life.
As I’m sure all of has experienced at one time or another, the so-called “Christians” have cast their judgement and verdict on a situation they have no idea about, very viciously. I’m reminded of what Jesus called the judgmental, self-righteous of his time (the Pharisees), “A brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33).
I want to share a post written by Frank Viola on the issue. In this post, he mentions some of the comments on different Christian websites about the tragedy. If you are like me, it will make you sick. I’ve never seen such public cruelty directed at a brother in Christ in my life. I am deeply saddened, yet not surprised (unfortunately). Frank shares a few words on the ugliness of these comments and puts his heart out to Rick Warren and family.
The comments on this post are beautiful. Some may make you weep. So also take a minute to read through those as well.
You can read the post by clicking HERE. Please share his post with family and friends, and maybe, just maybe some will see that judgmentalism and self-righteous religiosity is nasty. This is NOT the heart of Christ!
Feel free to comment either here or at Frank’s blog and share some words with Rick. Any remarks to Rick (granted they are not vicious) will be shared with him by email and/or Twitter.
May we all learn a lesson from this tragedy.
Amen.
You can copy and past the link into your browser here: http://frankviola.org/2013/04/08/rickwarrentragedy/
All Things in Christ 
Pastor this tragedy has gripped my heart. I so understand how this could happen. I too tried to commit suicide twice because of the illusions and delusions I suffered from. I am an advocate for mental illness. I wrote this post on face book and had a huge response. People care and are praying for you. They, many, are wounded themselves. THis is a biological mental disorder. THere is help for some and some there is not. My heart grieves but I know God is good. His mercies endure forever. Comfort my friend as only He can give.
http://www.whispersofgod.org there is a p.s. please read.
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Thank you, Deborah. It will be passed on.
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The world is not impressed by the Christians, but in fact, is appalled and looks on with disgust, because of the lack of love and compassion that even they themselves possess. They would never treat grieving parents with such heartless cruelty. The loss of child is the greatest sorrow and the highest summit of agony that a human can ever experience. There is only one obvious conclusion, the title of Christian does not mean that a person is a believer in Jesus Christ. It is just a title, a label, it doesn’t mean anything, if we have not Love, we have nothing at all.
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The comments of hatred that are quoted here are such as those meant for an enemy, and so, it is apparent that some sisters and brothers look upon one another as enemies, for whatever reasons. Well then, Jesus suffered, carried his cross and died, for his enemies. If we treat our sisters and brothers like our enemies, as Jesus loved his enemies, then our love would be seen abounding on the earth today, because the greatest love is the love that went to the cross for his an enemies. “Love one another, just as I have loved you. . . So that the love with which You love Me may be in them, and I in them” and by THIS LOVE for one another, “the world may believe.” Christ in us, Christ our Life. “May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people.”
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Amen!
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Amen, Kat!! No parent ever expects to face the unimaginable grief caused by the death of a child. Rick Warren is a brother in Christ who has been devastated by loss, and he and his family need our support and prayers. And shame — shame! — on anyone who uses this tragedy as an opportunity to express personal opinion about Rick Warren, bring up doctrinal disagreements or try to lay blame! That is NOT of Christ. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) As Kat said, 1 Cor. 13 clearly states that if we don’t have love, we have nothing. This grief-stricken family needs the body of Christ to just love them right now.
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I agree completely with ever word you said. Amen.
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Those who have commented negatively are Psuedo-Christians who have counted themselves perfect and immune from such tragedies. But as a child of God, Pastor Warren will get through this because God does not forsake the righteous (Psalm 37:25). Further, there are some things we will never understand, including this situation, but may Pastor Warren be comforted by the Word of God found in Isaiah 57:1 which reads “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come”.
When I first got saved the “Purpose Driven Life” helped me a lot. I read it on my way to and from work as I rode the bus and train and could not have enough of it at home. So Pastor Warren must know that His work for the Lord is not and will never be in vain.
For those who have “rejoiced” in this situation against the man of God you are the child of the devil because you reveal so much hatred for your “brother” (1 John 3:10). Pastor be courageous and trust in the Lord because JESUS IS WITH YOU ALWAYS!
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Amen and thank you so much for your comment. Blessings
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in this world God made for us to live patiently but Satan does not want us to live in the will of God, fight us always my prayer is that Gd to protect you in the blood of his son Jesus amen.
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