Addicted to Faith

The final (I hope) edited copy of "Addicted to Faith" was sent to the publisher on Friday. Writing this book brought to the forefront many memories for me. Memories of my wife's battle with an addiction to prescribed pain killers.Recently the news media has reported on the drastically high number of people who die from accidental overdoses to prescribed medications.The numbers surpass those attributed to addictions to cocaine or other similar opiates. According to the NIDA, National Institute On Drug Abuse, an estimated 48 million people abuse these drugs, using them for non medical reasons.Accessibility to these drugs is a major contributing factor, easily obtained from legal sources...doctors and dentists.Responsibility for addiction is the sole property of the addict, however when we knowingly contribute to their addiction we become like the pusher. These professional "pushers" are educated not only in their chosen field of medicine but are taught to recognize the micro-signs of addiction. Yet many choose to ignore the signs, writing the prescription just to get the addict out of their ER or office.As a professional they should offer the help the addict really needs, whether the aid is direct or by recommendation. When the doctor or other professional instead chooses the easy route they should be held accountable. I understand the addict has made the choice to abuse, and for these decisions there will always be consequences. They will be responsible for the harm they bring to their own life, but in no way does this excuse the professional "pusher's" behavior.
I hope that "Addicted to Faith" or "Going Numb" will help the addict recognize that through the grace and mercy of a loving God they can defeat the addiction in their life. I hope they see that a trip to the Cross can be made instead of yet another trip to their "pusher".
Hebrews 12:2
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

President Obama

Today's headlines on Yahoo (are they still considered headlines?) announced that President Obama has finally selected a church to attend. This is good news, but have we elected an individual, who when making a choice about his place of worship, makes headlines? The faith of our elected leaders should be without question, their choice of God, or as in this case, their choice of church, and should not require media involvement to bring assurance to a nation, blessed by God, that the leader indeed has a belief system. Regardless of President Obama's belief or faith the thought that our nation would have elected him if it (his faith) was in question is unsettling. Maybe tomorrow's headlines will provide us with information that actually concerns the well being of our great nation.