Suicide Statistics in the News.

“‘Are we doing the right things? Could we be doing more?'”

That are the two questions I find in the article “Tackling silence on suicide statistics.” (The Northland Age, Thursday, July 6, 2017)

In the developed world the teen suicide rate in New Zealand is the worst. For almost 20 years the toll has remained largely unchanged. Every 67 hours on average a young person in this country commits suicide.

There are several organisations where worried young people can get help and talk to someone.

The following are listed with phone numbers:
LIFELINE, SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE, YOUTHLINE, KIDSLINE, WHATSUP, DEPRESSION HELPLINE and SAMARITANS.

But what the young people really need and what all of us need is HOPE, not any kind of hope, but the hope the Bible tells us about. And if we are not talking about the hope the Bible speaks about to the young people, I think we are not quite “‘doing the right things.”‘

In Hebrews 6:19,20 we read:
“WE HAVE THIS HOPE AND AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL, FORM AND SECURE. IT ENTERS THE INNER SANCTUARY BEHIND THE CURTAIN, WHERE JESUS, WHO WENT BEFORE US, HAS ENTERED ON OUR BEHALF.”

“AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL”

I like this flower.

“‘WHO TO HIM WHO GIVES DRINK TO HIS NEIGHBOURS, POURING IT FROM THE WINESKIN TILL THEY ARE DRUNK, SO THAT HE CAN GAZE ON THEIR NAKED BODIES.'” – Habakkuk 2:15

I have been told that this is a hibiscus fllower

“‘BUT THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; LET ALL THE EARTH BE SILENT BEFORE HIM.'” – Habakkuk 2:20

A beautiful flower.

“‘BUT NINEVEH HAS MORE THAN A HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO CANNOT TELL THEIR RIGHT HAND FROM THEIR LEFT, AND MANY CATTLE AS WELL. SHOULD I NOT BE  CONCERNED ABOUT THAT GREAT CITY?'” – Jonah 4:11

I like this flower.

“HE HAS SHOWED YOU, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD. AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? TO ACT JUSTLY AND TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.” – Micah 6:8

The Cross

“Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come

Habakkuk 3:16-18

Introduction:

on the nation invading us.

• Though the fig tree does not bud and
• there are no grapes on the vines,
• though the olive crop fails and
• the fields produce no food,
• though there are no sheep in the pen and
• no cattle in the stalls,

End:

yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”

“though there are no sheep in the pen”

The Cross

“That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.

Jonah 4:2-3

Introduction.:

I knew that you are

1. a gracious and
2. compassionate God,
3. slow to anger and
4. abounding in love,
5. a God who relents from sending calamity.

End:

Now, O LORD, take away my life, …