Tag Archives: NA

Play, FF, RWD, Pause, Stop

17 Sunday Feb 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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Prevention may make intervention unnecessary.  I am not convinced that had my parents sat me down from time to time and explained the dangers of drinking, taking me to the scriptures and pointing out the importance of following God with all of my heart would have kept me from living as a derelict for nearly two decades. Sadly, we didn’t get it back then. Just get them to church, they will learn by osmosis  and besides, when they are old, they will come back to God, the Bible says that, the minister said so.
Play the Tape.
You hear this in recovery meetings quite often. It is a warning to all that if they are thinking about relapsing, play out the scenario, and what will happen if they do go back to drinking or drugging. As bad as their life was upon entering recovery, things will be even worse by returning to that way of life. Nonetheless, that insanity will set in if you ignore the warning and stop doing the right things, start thinking about the “good” feeling and the fun of doing things you want to do. Your control of self is deadly.
Definition of insanity: Doing the same things that have not worked, using the same methods, expecting different results. “Keep doing what your doing and you’ll keep getting what your are getting.”
Rewind
Look where your way of doing things put you. Sitting in  jail cell, or at a recovery meeting may give you a sense of remorse, of gut felt sorrow for your past. Do not forget. Remember the pain you felt arriving into recovery. Having a good vivid memory of how you lived while in the depths of misery you chose, may save your future. Yet you cannot allow remorse to weigh you down and stunt your spiritual growth. By realizing Christ has freed you, and as you work the steps, those past failures will merely be warnings that keep you moving forward.
“How do you feel right now? Remember because you will feel that way again.” AA saying
Hit Pause.
Think about recent actions. Are they good or bad? Are you moving toward sober living, or away from it? How are you viewing your past? I hope you aren’t playing the blame game by accusing your family from not teaching you to stay away from dope and booze. I hope you aren’t placing yourself in a dark place over past mistakes either.
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Prov.15:15
While you have the tape on pause, look where you are today, clean and sober. You should be overjoyed. Take a moment and thank God that you aren’t at the bar trying to get over last night’s drunk, or looking for that fix, not to get high, just to feel normal. Take the opportunity to think, when was my last meeting? Did I pray today?
FF
Don’t project into tomorrow, stay in today. That is the advice you hear in recovery groups. Good advice. You must plan anyhow. If you have to return to school, taking a new job, or getting ready to face a judge, you need to prepare. That means projecting ahead. More advice. Do this with your sponsor, or accountability partner. Don’t worry about these if you can help it, but do not take important matters with a grain of salt. The past proves we only lived for today and had no ambition, no goals, and the life we lived led to self gratification. So planning is important, looking into the future, but not to just look at tomorrow, and wondering how you can make through without using or boozing.
Stop
Don’t hit this button if you are moving forward. Hit it hard if you are complacent or thinking relapse. If you are practicing the principles of sober living and serving where God leads you, you can only see the beauty of life in serving and having the relationship to Jesus. Life can be lived well. In time, you may even smile at the past, no matter how terrible, because you know Who holds your future and beyond this life. Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Book release Tuesday the 28th of August!

26 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity

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http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781620241035 this is the link to Tate publishing, where you can get a copy for that loved one trying to stay clean and sober. You can also get a copy from kindle or nook, beginning Tuesday. If you are the one that is struggling to stay sober, this is a helpful tool that works! You to my site and order your copy, and I’ll pay your shipping. If you are outside of the USA, the book will be sent to you for $23. plus tax..I will cover shipping. This offer is good for those ordering at my site only, http://www.skeithbarnes.com and for ordering through WP to my personal site. Two days from now is the release date, so go today to http://www.skeithbarnes.com and get your copy today!

Giving and Asking for Help

02 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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When working with addicts/alcoholics, you should always remember the importance of help you are giving. For one, is it effective? Am I sugar coating so I don’t offend? or am I being too harsh, they’re beaten bad enough? For each success, there are failures. I have often felt as though it were my fault when someone I work with has a  relapse…and their death if they do not survive.
I really know better. Nonetheless, it still leaves you wondering. It is my responsibility to give them what I’ve been given. I am responsible to stick my hand out in fellowship, to instruct them to follow the steps to sobriety, to show them gratitude in action by serving wherever possible. I have known many who successfully complete the 12 steps, then relapse. None of us have a guaranteed sobriety.
Prayer, serving, and meetings are the glue that holds sobriey’s steps together. Those steps cannot be altered or ignored. You can either work the 12 steps, or your addiction will work you over, until you’re finished. Know this, it is up to the individual to accept do what is necessary to stay clean and sober.
When I came into the AA fellowship, I wanted to do my program. I soon realized that I needed to work the program the right way. I got a sponsor and began to work the program. The sponsor didn’t call me, he didn’t make sure I was doing ok, he didn’t shove me through the steps, no, that was my job. I asked him to sponsor me. It was my duty to call him, to ask his help working the steps, to ask for advice and help when I needed it. The same goes for help from God. If you ask Him for nothing, that’s what you get from Him. It is our responsibility to ask for help in life, from God, from parents or family members, from mentors, and pastors.
Silent pride is fear, fear of rejection.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him?”  Matt.7:11 (NAS)
I am responsible for my prayers to God. I am to pray asking for help, for my needs, for direction, without thinking God is too busy for me. I’m responsible to know that, not thinking that He may feel really sorry for me and eventually get around to my request. Where is that “Bible verse, the Lord helps them who helps themselves?” It’s NOT IN THE BIBLE! I’m responsible for knowing that too. Twinkle, twinkle little star is not a prayer. A stitch in time saves nine is not in Proverbs. I’m reponsible to know these things.
When the pastor gives the sermon, it’s for the hearer to live the message. When the high school gives my diploma to me, it’s up to me to take that education and use it to make a living, or further my education. When the mentor gives the follower every bit of knowedge, it’s up to the follower to apply and develop that knowledge further. We must see our responsibility in everything. If we do not, the government will be glad to be responsible for you…at a high price, your soul. The government will fill your soul with their belief system…I mean unbelief system, that will teach you to rely on uncle Sam for help with addiction, child rearing, religious education, religious de-programming, medicine, etc, etc. Just ask China, N. Korea, or any socialist nation, they know government control.
Ok, I could really go with a thousand directions with this topic. I still struggle with responsibility. Today however, I understand the importance of being responsible, and passing that understanding to my children, or those I help in recovery. Give this some thought, see if you are responsible, and if you are, pass it forward.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all. Keith

Teach Us to Pray

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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I am so impressed to see people praying for the needs of others through social networks, and sites where church members can lay their request out there, and praying people take the requests to God. If you struggle with praying as many do, hook up with these sites and tell others what you need prayer for. Don’t ever think God doesn’t care about the problems in your life. Don’t ever think you have to be perfect to pray, or you are waiting to pray when you get your life together…or you’ll never pray, because YOU will never get your life together. Prayer will put the broken pieces of your life back together.
So many people say they don’t know how to pray, it seems silly. Believe me, it isn’t silly, and if you really want to know how to pray, here it is. Jesus was asked by one of his disciples if he would teach them to pray like he prayed. From that request, Jesus gave them the Lord’s prayer as a guide to pray. Kind of like a “Praying for Dummies,” type of thing. Look at that prayer, use it as your guide. He also told them to be relentless in prayer for a specific need.
In Luke 11, Jesus gave his followers a story about a man who went to his neighbors house at midnight asking for food to be loaned to him to feed out-of-town guests. The man said go away we’re in bed. But Jesus said that persistence would get the man up and he would give the neighbor as much bread as he needed. God responds to us when we are persistent in prayer. Jesus then said these famous words:
“So I say to you, ask, and you shall receive, seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you….if your son asked for bread from any father among you, would you give him a snake instead? If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your HEAVENLY FATHER give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”  Luke 11:5-13
Needs are overwhelming for many of us today. There is post galore for those needing help on Facebook, et al. They range from serious to selfish, but all have meaning, and are real to each of those asking. Those we think may be selfish, are from a person who has the courage to at least ask. Take them all serious. Personally, I don’t have to ask for my day to be perfect if I surrender the day to God’s will and purpose for each day. He works out the details, I just want to be centered, or if you prefer, balanced, and focused on doing the next right thing to honor Him.
Finally friends, ask in faith. Believe that He is able to do anything. Believe He loves you enough to have your picture on His mantle. Nothing is too hard for Him. I have witnessed it, experienced it, waited for it, cried over it…it is all about His omnipotent power, unending mercy, and steadfast love for all. Picture your need met, your debt paid, your joy renewed, your health restored, your child free of addictions, your marriage healed…He is able! Then thank Him, over and again. And pray more. Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Family Heirlooms

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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There is much tragedy surrounding families and the loss of their heirlooms, resulting from one of its members addiction to drugs and alcohol. To get a fix, addicts find nothing sacred,the alcoholic is known to be willing to sell his own mother for a drink. Their are many families that have never experienced this loss, and their heirlooms remain intact and passed on to the next generation. Some  heirlooms do not have value to anyone but the family, like portraits or photos of members who have passed. Some heirlooms however, are priceless, and if lost to thievery, irreplaceable.
In recovery meetings, members have a commonality, being our addictions to drink, drug, gambling, over-eating, etc. We become like a family as we recover, trying hard to help each other get better. We really do not have anything of any tangible value to pass to each other, and to the newcomer. What we pass on to each other is an understanding, as well as knowledge on how to work to stay sober and clean. This is priceless, and free. No re-hab can do for the individual that AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, et al, can do. It is the steps, sponsorship, fellowship, and giving back, as well as the spiritual fitness awareness, that create a willingness to remain clean. These unseen heirlooms are invaluable. Here is an example:
“Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give  freely of what you find and join us.” The Big Book of AA, pg.164 
Of course this is a miniscule example of what you find, AA and NA’s big books, and the legacy of the founders. These programs, as well as the afore mentioned, teach and instruct in life through values, that are founded in spiritual principles. There is yet another family that has heirlooms that can never be taken away. This family is based on a “spoken” seed, unseen but real, and received by anyone who believes.
The seed is the Word of God, aka Jesus the Christ, aka Son of Righteousness, aka Lamb of God, aka Lion of Judah, aka, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is the Head of the family. Through His accomplished work, we are not only adopted into the family from our belief in Him, but we get our inheritance that moment we proclaim His Lordship over our lives. That moment we pass from death unto life, without payment or working for the privilege! All you have to do is this:
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Rom.10:9,13
Well I’m not ready just yet…you’re thinking, now is good, now is the time: “For He(God) says, ‘in an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you’…behold (look) now is the acceptable time, behold  now is the day of salvation!”  1 Cor. 6:2
There you have it, your are welcome into the family that you get to keep forever. The family heirlooms are yours to keep. Peace, joy, love, hope, and faith are just a few of the innumerable heirlooms that are yours to enjoy. The family you belong to now has heirlooms too, only the ones they pass down to you are in the form of misery, hopelessness, darkness, eternal separation from The Light, the Love, and fellowship with the Maker and Giver of every good thing. Come and get you some life!
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all!

Time to Re-focus

14 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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There is a time for everything. The ability to be aware of the need to change with the ebb and flow is a spiritual matter, I really believe. One day everything is going perfectly well, I sense this feeling so intensely that I am convinced nothing will ever go wrong again, I have finally figured out how to stay in this particular frame of existence. The next day I wonder what happened, how did I lose this mountain top experience?
There are also days so full of things needing to be accomplished that I seem not to care what frame of emotion I am sensing, or how I am spiritually. This is the most dangerous “place” to be. The continuous onslaught of items needing attention, fills me to the gills, and where I suffer the most is in my relationship to God. Second to suffering in that, the most important of relationships, comes the relationship to my wife, then my children, and eventually, every relationship I treasure takes it “on the chin.” Here, in this most dangerous of places, things quickly fall apart, and I’m left wondering, what do I do now?  This is the time to review and re-focus.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to reap; a time to kill, a time to heal; a time to break down, a time to build up; a time to weep, a time to laugh;  a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Eccl. 3:1-4
I am grateful that I have the understanding, that when the controversial winds blow, in times of heavy trials, and fear…these will all pass. This is an awareness I experience from the indwelling presence of God, to cause me to see that I’m out of balance. You all know what I mean, it is like having one tire that’s bad on your vehicle…it is very annoying, and you get to the point you want to stop driving until it is fixed. I need to re-balance, review, re-focus, and where I begin is with the main relationship, with God. When that is repaired, the others follow smoothly. God graciously causes me to see the time to change, surrender my will and my life to Him, to relinquish my control.
This is my address today, rather this moment. I have really experienced some heavy-duty doubt, frustration, some real emotions of dysfunction, am I where I need to be?  What  should I be doing today?  There is a place I know to go, my hiding place. It is hidden so well, I nearly forgot where it was myself!  I will tell you all where it is…it is in the Rock, not Alcatraz, the One Rock that Lives and never changes.
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavillion, in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.”  Ps. 27: 5
I have had many challenges of late. The book business has dominated my waking moments, the thing I am to be doing is self-promoting, getting the book into the attention of my sphere of influence, and the people I know. Then when August 28th rolls around, the book will have already had some play, and hopefully word of mouth will help the national release be even more successful. The publisher has quite a bit of money invested in this project, and desire to re-coup their investment and much more. They would love it to be a #1 best seller. I have really struggled with placing the book on my sites, on twitter, facebook, etc, concerned that people may think I’m prideful and have no humility.
You may not believe this, but some people duck and run, thinking I am going to bug them about buying the book, or talk about it incessantly. There is another factor, there is a number of people that are actually jealous, and do not regard this as an achievement I should be proud of…really? The people closest to me never mention the book, I feel at times like I have a plague or something! But then, God reminds me of the purpose. The book is written to help the struggling alcoholic/addict that follows Christ, stay clean and sober through their focus on Him.
My times of riding the emotional roller coaster, fearing what you think, real or imagined, is put away so that I can return to doing what pleases Him, and gives me purpose, that is helping others. I have to remember that there is a time, a purpose for everything. How I feel or what you think will change with the time.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Tripping Over Me

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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The group Casting Crowns has a song that I find disturbing yet powerful. “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” has words that literally cut me to the heart. I often think about the reality Jesus, how that we, His followers do as much to de-christianize our world as to convert it. A portion of the lyrics especially stand out to me:
Jesus friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see, The world is on its way to you, but they’re tripping over me, Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded, A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
O Jesus, friend of sinners, open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers, Let our hearts be led by mercy, help us reach with open hearts and open doors. Jesus friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours.
The words may mean nothing to you, they may not touch many who follow Christ. But they really need to be heard, and pondered. I can see how I have been acusing toward people who claim to know Christ, but their lifestyle shows otherwise. It irks me to see these people bring reproach on Christ’s name, I mean, they couldn’t possibly Christians in anything but name. Maybe they think becoming a christian has nothing to do with personal decision, but babtism at birth. And as I type these words, you see my dilemma, I am expressing my thoughts in judgment against people who claim they are Christian. Who do I think I am?
Are my eyes on Christ? No they’re busy watching you. Like the line from the movie, “Mr. Mom,” ‘you’re doing it wrong!’  The whole time my finger is aimed at you and your shortcomings, I’m committing sin by accusations directed at you. You and I who follow Jesus, can become a loaded weapon with having a wee bit of biblical knowledge, and a shallow relationship with Christ. How pititful.
The deeper we look into the eyes of Jesus, the closer our relationship becomes, and the people we tend to point at are seen through His eyes, broken, confused, and needing Him. We can stay in this warped frame of religious thinking, like modern day pharisees, or we can throw off our traditional beliefs, and realize our low estate without Jesus. In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable  about a Pharisee and a sinner tax collector. Both went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, Mr Religion, prays like this:
“Lord, I thank you that I’m not like other men, extorting, unjust, adulterers, or even as the tax collector”….I fast twice per week,  pay tithes on all of my possesions.”
The tax collector prayed in this manner: He prayed and would not  as much s lift his eyes toward heaven, but beat his chest and said, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Jesus went on to say that this “sinner” went home justified to God, not the other. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
If we are not broken hearted over those around us, we should begin to look to God in humility, and in repentance, until we are touching His very heart, that IS broken for the lost ones around us. He loves that person we want to criticize, as much as He loves you. He died for everyone, not just me. For me, I want to unload the baggage of pride, and the habit of scorn directed at the those Christ died for. With this in mind, we can spend our time getting fixed, not trying to fix others.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all. Keith

Under The Influence

09 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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we have a book…and an ebook.

Hello all! This is just a reminder about my new book now available. I have about a month and a half before it goes public, but you can get it now through my website at www.skeithbarnes.com We are pretty excited, and those who have already received their copies are pretty pumped! This should be a real help to the individual that struggles with drug, alcohol, porn, gambling, well…any addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts wanting to stay clean and sober, learn a few secrets about doing just that in this book. The truth is, there is no secrets per se, it is how you start each day, live through the day, and reflect at night.

 

It is possible to live every day with purpose, fulfilled through a relationship with God through Jesus, and a grateful heart. Any person wanting to recover and serve the Lord, needs this tool. It works, as we work it. This isn’t a pie in the sky, hope to heaven it works. The book is a guide to staying sober through spiritual focus. If you or a loved one are struggling, get this book, or ebook, you won’t be sorry. I will sigh the book for you, and get it to you asap. Allow 1-2 wks for delivery.

 

The book will retail for $27.99, but you can get it through my website for $23.00 plus tax, and $3 will ship it anywhere in the US. That’s $27.61 total. The ebook is $10.95 including tax and shipping. International rates are a little higher for shipping, but no sales tax is added. That’s it. Thanks for reading, hope you like the book, but more importantly, it helps you grow in Christ and stay sober!

Anger

07 Saturday Jul 2012

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I discover new things about myself on a regular basis. Just when I’m sure that I am really growing and mature, emotionally speaking, my self-awareness brings a new character flaw into view. Anger is one of those things I feel above, but I am not. I was looking through some of my un-published posts, and I have three posts that I nearly finished for the fourth of July, but posted none because they didn’t feel right. I am angry about this country and lost freedoms. Americans continue to fight for what they believe from either side of the aisle, left and right actually believe they are right regarding freedom, law, and what is good for this nation. We are divided, a house divided cannot stand.
 Then there were other thoughts that began to surface about my view of me. I am not very tolerant about certain issues, many are not life altering, but some are off-the-chart wrong. But wait a minute…I am in recovery, I have worked on myself for quite a long time now, I know I’m right about this stuff! I have the wisdom of years, I have witnessed historically, and consider myself well read on issues facing this nation, families, and experienced personally the right and wrong way to live as an individual. I have biblical understanding! What is wrong with everyone?
My anger stems from a greater problem PRIDE
Thinking that I have enough tome in sobriety, and now have the answers to everything, shows how I am far from fixing myself, rather allowing God to fix me. It takes total surrender, it is humility, and memories of what I had become through prideful living, that I must keep in plain view daily, lest pride returns me to debaucherous thinking, and living.
“The ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” Prov. 6:21-23
 
I can honestly say that youand I do not have to accept or be tolerant of things that are opposite of what we believe. We can speak against those things, blog about them, and use whatever means to express our beliefs…but not in anger, not in an arrogant condescending manner. I feel that Paul the apostle, Peter and John, disciples of Jesus, expressed themselves fervently, zealously, but in the Spirit-led conviction, not in anger or pride. We should have our personal convictions, call things that are wrong, wrong and right, right. But do this in love and concern.
Do not become entrapped by arrogance and go astray from truth because of the way of surrounding generations ideals and methods of expression. Stay focused on your purpose, on praying for leaders and those about us, and for yourself, that God would bring to mind that you are as broken as those you want fixed.
There are friends I know, that have a relative who nightly, year round, goes out into his backyard and lights up his little homemade fireplace, sits down with his Bible, and cooler full of beer, and contemplates the world’s problems…and does this alone. He, according to them, hates everyone, all ethnic groups, especially those of other beliefs, and does this using the Bible and booze. The truth he reads becomes twisted by the booze he drinks, and the hatred inside.
This can be you and I if we don’t see our need to look deep into ourselves, and desiring God to re-arrange our bad thoughts and ideas, conforming us to the image of Christ. I want to be free as an American, but not as much as I want freedom from self-serving, the self-induced slavery. Politicians can legislate freedoms we enjoy away, but only I can give away the liberty I experience in sober living, and in my journey with Christ, from refusing to see myself in a prideful way, always right about everything. I prefer change, even though it is painful.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all. Keith.

Today

02 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, Think in Today

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I have posted recently about past and current events, an the possibility or the nearness of the end. The good news for the believer is that the day of Christ’s return will come. We must not waver in faith, but stretch our faith, looking to that event. Impossible as it seems, that day is nearer than when we first believed. The past is gone. We cannot undo the past, nor improve past actions that were positive. What we have is today. Today is our proving ground the day we decide on how we plan to exist as members of the human race.
We eat, breathe, think, touch, and clothe ourselves, if we’re are able. These things we do by necessity, and without thought. Today we laugh, we cry, we play and work, give and take, love and hate. Today we get to pick to turn our heads, ignoring others needs, or we choose to roll up our sleeves and get involved. Today we forgive and take revenge. Today we share secrets about others or refuse to hear dirt. Today we insist on our rights and being first, or gladly go second to all, even a stranger. All of these acts each today we live, thousands of decisions are made, most by osmosis, others in full knowledge.
For the alcoholic and drug addict, the gambler and the porn addicted, these have to live within the boundaries of 24 hrs to maintain their sobriety and freedom from the chains of addictions. These must start their day right by placing good thoughts in their minds. They must look to God the very first thing, acknowledging their need for help. Gratitude is a must, service cannot be avoided, personal growth is the plan that succeeds their self-will’s control. No need to look behind or ahead past today. Each today brings change.
As a follower of Christ, today is our address as well. Every action can either move us into the direction of conformity to the image of Jesus, or toward the cares of this life, with self at center stage. We, like everyone else, see ourselves needing the essentials of life, food,clothing, a home, a car, but beyond those necessities, we want things to draw attention, to appear successful, for  sense of well being. Things are okay, but they lose their luster quickly, and we decide more things are needed to bring us that tingle, or feeling of worth. Jesus said these words:
“Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or  ‘what  shall we drink?’ or  ‘what shall we wear?’ For after these things the gentiles (wordly folk) seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:31-33
Things are not perfectly wonderful in our world today. The end may be approaching at break-neck speed. For the follower of Jesus, the addicted, those with hangups, hurts, and habits, we only have to stay into today, look for Christ’s return, and seek to improve our walk, our service. If we wrap ourselves up into things, events, our jobs, and our image by self-promotion, we rob ourselves and families of the kingdoms blessings bestowed from the Father. No need for us to worry about the end, nor fret over the nation. He has our back, lights our path, and dwells within. He surrounds us with favor, and in Him, we are encompassed with songs of deliverance.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all. Keith

 

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