Friendship 911 Collection: My friend is struggling with.. Thoughts of Suicide

By Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart

Sixteen-year-old Kevin Colvin, burdened by his parent's fighting, the recent death of his best friend and slipping grades, despairs that he's just "a waste of space on this planet. Is this a passing thought or is he about to seriously contemplate suicide?

Do you know any students like Kevin who are caught in the downward emotional spiral of disappointment to discouragement to despair? What can you say or do to help? What do they need most right now? Perhaps more than any time in their lives they need a "911 friend"-a friend who "…is always loyal and a brother [and sister who] is born to help in time of need" (Prov. 17:17).

Through the aid of a gripping true-to-life story, Josh McDowell along with Ed Stewart offers biblical insights and practical instruction on what your friend can do when plagued with passing thoughts of ending it all. But more importantly, you will discover how to become a true source of help and encouragement to lift him or her from discouragement and despair. This book is designed for you to read first and then give to your friend.

And if you are that person struggling with despair, you can learn how to find that light at the end of the dark tunnel you seem to be in. For you will discover how important you are to God and to those around you, especially to the friend who gave you this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jul 15, 2000
• ISBN: 9781418584474

Josh McDowell

For over 60 years Josh McDowell has provided breakthrough moments for more than 45 million people in 139 countries about the evidence for Christianity and the difference the Christian faith makes in the world. Through his work with Cru and the global outreach of Josh McDowell Ministry, millions of people worldwide have been exposed to the love of Christ. He is the author or coauthor of more than 150 books, including such classics as More Than a Carpenter and Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

Book preview

Thoughts

of

Suicide

Josh McDowell

& Ed Stewart

MyFrndStrglng_w-2fThought_fnl_Pas_0001_002

© 2000 Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Scripture quotations used in this book are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McDowell, Josh.

    My friend is struggling with—thoughts of suicide / by   

Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart.

    p. cm. — (Project 911 collection)

    Summary: Uses the story of a teenage boy who is worried

about a friend to explore the problem of suicide and what to do for

someone who has suicidal thoughts.

    ISBN 0-8499-3792-2

    1. Youth—Suicidal behavior—Prevention—Juvenile litera ture. 2. Suicide—Juvenile literature. 3. Suicide—Prevention— Juvenile literature. [1. Suicide. 2. Christian life.] I. Stewart,

Ed. II. Title. III. Series.

    HV6546 .M39 2000

    362.28—dc21

00-028110

CIP

Printed in the United States of America

00 01 02 03 04 05 QDT 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Acknowledgments

Sean’s Story

Appendix

More About Intimate Life Ministries

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following people:David Ferguson, director of Intimate Life Ministries of Austin, Texas, has made a tremendous contribution to this collection. David’s influence, along with the principles of the Intimate Life message, is felt throughout each book in this collection. David has modeled before us how to be God’s comfort, support, and encouragement to others. We encourage you to take advantage of the seminars and resources that Intimate Life Ministries offers. (See pages 49–54 for more information about how this ministry can serve you.)

Dave Bellis, my (Josh) associate of twenty-three years, labored with us to mold and shape each book in this collection. Each fictional story in all eight books in the PROJECT 911 collection was derived from the dramatic audio segments of the Youth in Crisis Resource, which Dave personally wrote. He was also responsible for the design and coordination of the entire PROJECT 911 family of resources (see pages 55–58). We are so very grateful for Dave’s talents and involvement.

Joey Paul of Word Publishing not only believed in this entire project, but also consistently championed it throughout Word.

JOSH MCDOWELL

ED STEWART

Sean's Story

The youth-group car wash raised $430 for summer church-camp scholarships, but it will probably be better remembered for the riotous water fight. During a lull in the parade of dirty cars, the high-school seniors, led by energetic Sean Williams, commandeered the two hoses and opened fire on the rest of the group. The underclassmen fought back gamely with buckets and sponges filled with soapy water.

Caught in no-man’s land during the battle were