Sermon 123 "Way of the Ascetics vs. Suicide"

This book "Way of the Ascetics" helped me out of suicidal thoughts & initiated me into my 2nd Spiritual Awakening.

In 1999, after many years as a backsliding, worldly Christian, I hit rock bottom. I was so destroyed, I could not see how to move a single step forward.

Living with a dangerous schizophrenic woman, with no job, a twice broken back, and no possessions, my heart finally snapped out of my long delirium. I cried non-stop for a week. I was so ashamed and disgusted with myself.

I had wasted my life, after I got born again. I did good for a few years, but got sidetracked and the devil defeated me in every realm of my life.

It took extreme pain and suffering to break through my spiritual apathy. An intense repentance arose from the depths of my soul. But I was also tempted to feel hopeless, forsaken by God, super depressed, culminating in relentless suicidal thoughts.

WAY OF THE ASCETICS by Tito Colliander was the one spiritual book, besides the Bible, that delivered my mind from self-annihilation. This simple devotional text helped clear my confusion and despair.

I will read sections of this powerful book and insert comments on the beauty of its holiness.

It seems to be Out of Print now. I have a copy of it. Here's a PDF file of the text:

http://cakravartin.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/way-of-the-ascetics.pdf