19 Mar, 2007
Delp Suicide Note: "I am a lonely soul"
ATKINSON, N.H. -- Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston who killed himself last week, left behind a note in which he called himself "a lonely soul," according to police reports released Thursday.
The note was paper-clipped to the neck of Delp's shirt when police found his body at his Atkinson home, on the bathroom floor, his head on a pillow. He had sealed himself inside with two charcoal grills; toxicology tests showed he had committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Mr. Brad Delp. J'ai une ame solitaire. I am a lonely soul," the note read.
Delp joined Boston in the mid-1970s and sang two of its biggest hits, "More than a Feeling" and "Long Time." He was cremated Wednesday, after a private funeral earlier in the week.
His fiancee, Pamela Sullivan, called police March 9 after noticing a dryer vent tube connected to the exhaust pipe of Delp's car. In the garage, police found a note taped to the door leading into the house.
"To whoever finds this I have hopefully committed suicide. Plan B was to asphyxiate myself in my car."
In another note on a door at the top of the stairs, Delp cautioned that there was carbon monoxide inside.
"I take complete and sole responsibility for my present situation. I have lost my desire to live," he wrote. The note also included instructions on how to contact his fiancee: "Unfortunately she is totally unaware of what I have done."
Sullivan told police that Delp "had been depressed for some time, feeling emotional (and) bad about himself," according to the reports.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.news.com, 03/15/07
Something missing in your life?
Philippians 4:10-14 (NLT)
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how to find contentment?
The context of Paul's words is about how God was using his friends to help provide what he needed to do God's work, like food and money.
Paul understood the difference between happiness and joy. Why? He was content in any circumstance he faced because he could see life from God's point of view. The key was to draw on Christ's power for strength whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. Paul was full of joy, because his perspective was, "I'll trust God, no matter what."
I don't know the whole story about rocker Brad Delp. But it seems that money and fame didn't bring him contentment. He was lonely. He took his own life. Personally, I think this is a graphic illustration of what everyone must eventually understand. There is a difference between happiness and joy. Brad Delp probably experienced happiness at times, but evidently he never found joy. This joy comes only in knowing Christ and trusting Him, no matter what.
Do you understand the difference between happiness and joy?
Happiness is a feeling based upon what is happening around us - if my life is going well - then I'm happy! Joy is a perspective based upon trusting the loving God who has a perfect plan for my life, even if I don't feel happy about my circumstances.
One of the biggest joy stealers in life is unmet expectations.
How about you? No matter what life's circumstances you face, can you trust Christ to give you His joy?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Confess to your heavenly Father any way in which you need to admit discontent. If you struggle with often wanting more, ask His Spirit to remove that desire and give you contentment in all circumstances. Thank Him for loving you, meeting your needs, and providing lasting joy!
- This next week, every time you feel unhappy, stop and ask yourself why? If it's about some expectation that isn't being met, pray for strength to face your disappointment and get ready for God's joy.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Ask Jesus to help you reach out to one "lonely soul" this week.
- With your friends or family who need Jesus, use today's story about rocker Brad Delp to have a conversation about what brings contentment and meaning to life. Remember to ask questions and listen for their perspective rather than dumping a mini sermon on them. You will learn more about their stories and Jesus will show you how to share part of your story and God's story.
- Talk with others about the difference between happiness and joy. Remember that one of the biggest joy stealers in life is unmet expectations. For example, how do you respond when:
1.you don't make the grades
2.your parents don't give permission
3.you get cut from the team
4.you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend
5.you don't get the job promotion
6.you don't receive the award
Do you get cranky or depressed when you don't get what you want or feel you deserve? It's normal to feel unhappy for a time, but do unsatisfied expectations steal your joy?
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