Tuesday, August 25, 2009

T.M.I.


Last night I was reading a young man's blog which dealt with the issue of God's existence. He told us that an acquaintance, a self-professed atheist, had asked the blogger to prove the existence of God. This blog resulted in many comments from the thoughtful readers who desired to help this young man answer the atheist's question. Many of the answers were deep in theology, referring to scripture and doctrine. Before I realized it I had spent too many hours chasing the references quoted. I surfed the net and found hundreds of articles on the Doctrine of Asiety, on Calvinism, the reformation, Doctrines of Salvation and papers on Arminianism. I breezed through websites that dealt with the existence of God and others that convincingly would lead one to rationalize the "Big Bang Theory". As I entered key words into various search engines hundreds of other blogs were suggested dealing with the same subject matter. As the time passed without notice I suddenly became overwhelmed with the amount of information that is at our finger tips in this age of technology. The accuracy of the information is for the seeker to determine, but undoubtedly the amount available is endless. As my wonderful 13 year old daughter (soon to be 21) would say, "T.M.I."
Too much information!
The proof of God is told in the greatest story ever written. This great story, with many wonderful stories within verses beautifully written can be summed up without an overload of information. Information that can only be understood by those much more intelligent than I, who consume biblical doctrine as if it were a bottomless bag of popcorn. Simply;
First there was God.
He created man to love and to be loved by.
Man sinned.
God's grace was revealed in his patience.
Man sinned again and again...
God became man.
Jesus taught us to "believe"
On the cross Christ said "It is finished" Paid in full!
Jesus died for you and for me.
Faith.
Faith is why I believe in the existence of God.
Years ago when I was still seeking out my own belief system I wrote a poem called "God?"
I can't remember the words, too many years have since passed, but I recall that it began with the words, "In the beginning there was God"
The poem went on to tell of man's fall, then man's narcissistic belief that man created God in our own image. That one day man decided we didn't need God at all. The final line of the poem..."And God cried."
Maybe I will find the poem and share it here. Today my files are all on a computer, that poem was written in long hand on notebook paper, and is secreted away in boxes long ago sealed.
I am thankful that my journey lead that young poet to a belief system that recognizes truth through faith.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The Delete Key


Admittedly I use the "delete" key when writing more than I would like to admit. I will usually walk away from the newly generated text for a period of time, only to return and decide I do not like the way it reads...delete. All the previous hard work and conceived thoughtful passages gone with just a stroke of a key.
I began to wonder what our lives would be like if we would simply "delete" the mistakes we have made. What if the recovering addict could wipe out all evidence of their life prior to recovery. Suppose all evidence of extra-marital affairs, gambling debts, drug abuse or alcohol abuse would simply cease to exist with the tap of a life size "Delete" key. The addict could then truly start with a clean slate.
The problem of course would occur when, without the evidence of past mistakes, we would be bound to repeat these same mistake, to relapse. Your prior life of addiction is part of the make up of who your are now. We certainly long to forget the behavior, to forget the pain we caused ourselves and others. We wish that we had never made the decisions that lead to a life of addiction. But all of this, the pain, the regret and even the losses make you who you are today...a recovering addict.
Your recovery was only possible through Christ. You may know Him, or if not you have heard his name, Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote;
"Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. Your were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitudes of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Eph. 4:21-24
We cannot "delete" our former way of life, nor should we forget. But we can know that we now have a "new self", one created to be like God, created by the Creator.
If you still struggle with addictions, it is time to stop. I checked the calendar and the clock, they both say "Now is the time!"
Accept Christ's invitation. Begin a walk today that will be free of drugs, alcohol, pornography or gambling. His death and resurrection is the only "delete" key you will ever need.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Just Words

As I drove into work this morning I tuned my radio to WOAI 1200 . The morning show is hosted by the always unpredictable Charlie Parker. His topic in these early morning hours was whether participating in adult type chat rooms should be considered cheating on your spouse. Charlie's position was that this behavior should not be considered cheating. I do not know if Mr. Parker took this position because of his belief system or to make the phones ring, because they did. The few callers I heard before arriving to work and turning this unusual morning chatter off told Charlie that he was wrong...that this behavior is indeed cheating.
Chat rooms, social networks and other conduits of the 21st century do indeed allow people to behave in a way, cloaked in secrecy, unlike any other time in history. Even Facebook allows one person to send another a "hug" or a "adult beverage" and even a "kiss". We use to call this dating, now we call it cyber-chat.
As I listened this morning two questions came to mind, first, if it is not cheating then why is is typically done in private? Second, if it is not cheating, then what is it? A third question came to mind, I wondered how many times this morning host had been married, but I soon realized I was being unfairly judgmental.
The internet has allowed us to make cyber-contact with people from our past, some we haven't seen or heard from in more than twenty years. I did make contact with an old friend, I had not seen or heard from her since 1980 or 81. I found myself one day in a chat that lead to, what I considered then, innocent flirtations. Then one day I discovered that my wife, the woman I love, had participated in her own "innocent chat" with a co-worker. It hurt. I was angry, hurting, and let my imagination carry me further than her email had. Then the moment came when God pointed out to me that my own behavior would also cause hurt...to my wife. Charlie, it is cheating.
Innocent flirting, two people that by simply entering binary numbers into a computer that crunches them at incredible speeds and turns them into words that reflect inappropriate thoughts , recorded on a computer screen will lead something that is more than "Just Words".
Many have become addicted to the chat life style. And many of those will go deeper into the world wide web, to include the dark crevices where internet pornography rules as a golden idol. Like any other addiction, the addict will try to hide their behavior, especially from their spouse. Hidden from the person that you once thought you could share every thought with, and stay up all night just talking, planning futures, dreaming dreams, is now the person you avoid, afraid that your errant behavior will show on your face.
This addict must make the choice now to stop. If you think you can not stop, then turn to Jesus Christ and ask Him to help.
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isa 41:13
Take His hand. Today.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Friends Who Divide

A recovering addict faces challenges each day of sobriety. To battle and overcome these challenges requires strength and determination, hope and faith. Reducing the daily challenges must be an continuing regiment for the addict, to include a discerning ear when listening to friends. They will discourage you with reminders of your past life. The will encourage you to partake in the substances of yesterday. The will mislead with intent, they will lead with deception.
In the book of Jude, the author spoke of "scoffers" whose only ambition was to satisfy their on desires. Verse 19 reads, "These are men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the spirit." Jude followed this warning with words of encouragement, verse 20 reads, "But you dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." He ends this short letter by reminding us of the One who is able to "...keep you from falling".
Your faith in Christ Jesus lead you out of addiction. Let your faith apply to your recovery. Know that when others discourage, He encourages. Know that when others would let you fall, that He can prevent the fall. Celebrate each day of sobriety with thanks given to our Lord and Savior. And when the "scoffers" appear, because they will, pray that the Spirit of God will guide you, that He will provide you with the words to say no. That He will provide you with this opportunity to show to those that want to divide, what Christ has done in your life...He can do in theirs.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Drug Use Increases.

Without much fanfare Reuters reported today that the use of anti-depressant drugs increased by 14 million people from 1996 to 2005. That's a lot of depressed people. That's a lot of pills. That's also a lot of money for the pharmaceutical companies and the doctor's that are writing the prescriptions. The article went on to say that not only are more people depending on these drugs but the one's that were already swallowing are swallowing even more.What I did not read was when, if ever, does the depressed person get better, or are they doomed to pop pills for the rest of their natural life? There are many illnesses that will require a lifetime regiment of medications, does depression have to fall into this sad category?
As a child of God, saved by Christ Jesus, I have not and will not experience depression. I have been sad, to the point of tears, He wiped them away. I have been afraid, He provided courage. I have been without, He taught me contentment. I have experienced darkness, He is the Light. Being a Christian is not without the worries of the world, but when you know Christ, when you place your faith in Him, you know that it is all temporary.
If you are depressed seek help, but first seek God. He is waiting for you.
The Great Physician might just prescribe-
"Read one verse and call me in the morning."

Monday, August 3, 2009

A pill for addiction?

Buprenorphine? What is it? It is marketed as an alternative for methadone treatment under the name Subutex or Suboxone.. But what is it? It is a synthetic opioid, a narcotic, similar to heroin. It is used to treat substance abusers. So can Subutex be abused by someone who has spent a lifetime abusing drugs? Yes. Can it kill you? Yes, if abused. One of the side effects is confusion, another is pain and another...depression.
So if someone who has an addiction to prescribed pain killers, doesn't matter which one you choose, receives a prescription from a "we care" doctor for Buprenorphine, this same addict may experience confusion, pain, and become depressed. The addict is already experiencing confusion, pain (real or imagined) and they already spend each day being depressed.
There is definitely a huge market for this new drug (call it what it is). An estimated 2 million people begin a journey of painkiller drug abuse each year. Plenty of doctors will be able to write the script for this drug, it is easier to become a certified pusher of Buprenorphine than it is for Methadone.
I wonder will any of these doctors consider alternatives?
I hope that some will consider introducing Jesus Christ to the addict before prescribing another pill to swallow.
I hope that the addict that said;
"When I finally got to the point where I didn't need the medication any more (the pain killers), I couldn't quit taking it." "Honestly, after being on medicines for so many years, the thought of being off is frightening. It scares me. I think to myself every day, am I going to be able to do this?"
I hope she can.
I hope that every addict that reads these words knows that there are people who care.
I hope that the addict will see that with faith it is possible to end your life of self abuse. It will not be easy, but you will not be alone.
I pray I am not hoping for too much.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A time to stop.

Solomon wrote, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." [Ecc 3:1]. Now is the time to stop. To stop the drugs. To stop the abuse. To stop the alcohol. Now is the time to stop getting high, getting drunk, getting stupid. Stop going numb and live. It is time to stop pretending. It is time to stop believing that you are in control of your addiction. It is time to stop hoping that she will suddenly quit popping pills,to stop hoping that he will stop drinking. Just like the addict you are fooling yourself.
It is time to stop.
It is time to change something. This past week we read of the mother who savagely murdered her four week old baby boy, Scotty. The story continues to develop and we will probably never know what could drive anyone to commit such a horrible act. But it appears that drugs, or medications were involved. The mother had been seen by doctors on more than one occasion for treatment of mental illness. Did these caregivers write prescriptions for mind numbing drugs without concern for post treatment care. Did the doctors warn this young mother that if she stopped taking the drugs without proper care that adverse reactions may result. Did the doctors ever consider any treatment other than chemical? It is time to stop.
Today we began a bible study on love. We have included in our study Gary Chapman's "The Five Love Languages". This study talks about "quality time", "gift giving" and other ways of communicating love. I look forward to learning more, we all need ways to better our communication, but what is love.
Where was the love of Scotty's mother?
Where was the love for the mother?
Where was the love of the caregivers?
Where was God's love?
I cannot answer the first three questions but I can tell you that God's love is evidenced in that today I know Scotty is in the arms of our Lord. That is love.
It is not what we should do when we love...but what we do because we love. Because of God's love He became a man. Because of Jesus' love He preached about the Father's love. Because of Jesus' love he died for you and he died for me. Because he died, we don't have to, not a death of eternity.
It is time to stop.
Stop writing prescriptions as if they were dollar off coupons for the circus.
Stop swallowing a pill everytime something doesn't go your way.
Stop jabbing, blasting, snorting, popping. Base crazies get off your hands and knees searching for crack and start searching for God. He is there, next to you.
Love your addict...tell them they must stop. Help them.
Love your self...you must stop. Get help.
Love God...He loved you first.

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