Tag: addiction

  • Are you ready for Christmas?

    Only two more days before Christmas. Just two more sleeps before the big day. Reality check time again. Am I calmer — more rested? Am I ready to properly celebrate the birth of the Christ-child? His birth is a big deal and worth preparing my mind, body, and soul. His death manifests the ultimate sacrifice. How can I offer any less to God than to prepare myself in readiness for Christmas Day? He gave his all for me and any who believe in him.  

    Back to the verse in Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

    1.      I must “continue to pray” for family members and friends as I become aware of their needs such as: broken relationships, freedom from addiction, a vehicle to drive, housing, employment, zest and yearning for God’s approval vs. man’s approval.

    2.      “Be watchful.” Ever present and aware of people and needs around me. Take the time to pause, smile at a harried clerk and wish them a Merry Christmas before I depart on my way. Many retail personnel work extended hours away from their families this time of year often dealing with short-tempered, frazzled and frustrated customers.

    3.      “Be thankful.” I am thankful for a warm home to come back to, a faithful husband, loving family, delightful grandchildren and caring friendships — just to name a few. I truly am blessed and have much to be thankful for this Christmas season!

    John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

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  • Wanting just a little bit more – (Part I)

       Do you ever struggle with wanting something you know isn’t good for you? Maybe it’s an addiction, or wanting a bigger this or that, or a longing for a certain someone to notice you. I don’t mean just desiring this object or person, but craving it to the point of not being able to enjoy or appreciate present blessings. I know that feeling. No matter how much I try to talk myself into the fact that others don’t have it any better than I do (in fact, I might have it better but I’m just not noticing), it doesn’t work. I still end up obsessing to the point of making my life miserable at times. Why do I do this? Deep down, I know it is not healthy or even remotely productive.  It’s part of our fallen nature to want what we don’t have and try to question God’s ways.  

    Look at Eve and Adam. The serpent in the Garden, masqueraded as Satan, placed a delectable fruit within focus of Eve. The fruit (maybe it was an apple) looked appealing and smelled appetizing. What harm could come from taking a mere juicy bite? After all, they reasoned God would want them to be happy. And this looked like a happy way to go in their eyes. Adam and Eve figured it would taste yummy too, so they succumbed, ate the fruit, while believing they knew better than God. Wrong!

    What are some of your struggles?

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