One Testimony

Five years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table, doing what I've coined, The Bill a shuffle, which consists of picking out The Bills that were in risk of being disconnected. I felt anxious (like always when doing bills) and had a sick feeling in My Gut. I was tired of having these feelings...at that very moment I closed my eyes, prayed and entered into a powerful communion with God.
Mind you, I've not been of a  materialistic mindset, since I've been clean and sober, 9-29-99, a dark point in my life that I had gained every monetary thing and then some, only to lose it all and find myself feeling lonely and completely broken.
During my prayer, God reminded me how he rescued me then and assured me that ( no matter what) he always would. Then the scriptures I had read and heard preaced, so many times before popped inro my spiritual discussion. I thought how God always had his Arc Angles approach his children throughout The Bible, always saying, "do not fear" immediately The Fear of my utilities being disconnected vanished.
I remembered The Apostle Pauls writings, which stated, " I know what it's like to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in all circumstances is to remember, that I can do all things through him that gives me strength...cast your worries on the Lord and he will sustain you; because my Lord cares for me, loves me...yes a wretched, sinner like me, he cares for, forgiving me always, when I repent (ask).  Biblical Summary Phil: 4-12-13 Pet: 5-7 and Ps:55-22. From that moment on, I've never had a overwhelming feeling about my financial circumstances.
Have I had times of hardship? Yes, but by remaining faithful, I've not felt anxious about it. I've also found it's all about perspective. When I think I'm having a hard time, I think of the Children living on top of the Garbage dumps in The Philippines and the Children dying of starvation, lack of clean water, or  medical care...or the person in that's drawing there last breath in a hospital, or the Christian that's being slaughtered, mamed, or tortured, just for loving and believing in Jesus, right now, as I write this blog!
Then, my gratitude is the only overwhelming feeling I have. I continuously tell myself, I'm a work in progress and spiritual progress happens over time. Then my utility bills seem irrelevant, within The Big picture!
That's one of my testimonys about God's abundant provision and unwavering love, for a fool like me. How grateful am I?

Choices, Genetics, Demon, or Demons?

I've heard it said many times, "people that are addicted, are so, as a result of poor choices." May I pose three questions?
1. Do you believe addiction is a result of poor choices?
2. Do you believe in good and evil?
3. Do genetics factor in to the equation?
I'd like to approach this topic from both a secular and spiritual viewpoint.
First, let us examine the secular, or scientific (manview) viewpoint.
There has been many behavioural studies on addiction that would suggest a genetic predisposition to addiction is a primary factor in a persons addiction.
There is also sufficient evidence that points to social and environmental causes, when a person presents for AOD (alcohol and other drug) treatment.
For example if uncle Paul, dad and grandpa were alcoholics, then surely little Tommy will be! (Although the gene is supposedly passed on from the maternal side, I would debate any dominance) Fom a sociological and psychological standpoint, I would agree...the family, friends, living conditions, (people, places) play a major role in said topic. Also what a person has endured in their life is relevant. Maybe there is evidence of trauma, whice is causing problems in the present. There could be cause for a PTSD diagnosis.
But, ask yourself, what's the root of the problem?
Let us venture into The Spiritual Realms!
If our belief is that good and evil exists, then the good forces obviously don't favor addiction. While the forces of darkness rejoices when a life, or a family is destroyed by addiction.
But wait! Why are there so many addictions, with an equal number of treatment models and 12-Step based programs?
After 22 years of active addiction and over 15 years of recovery...not to mention 13 years of substance abuse counseling experience...I believe addiction is a proverbial spiritual battle for a persons soul. It's my firm belief, that families with long standing historys of addiction, are generationly cursed.
If demonic power controls addiction, then certainly, there are multiple assignments, or demons sent from The dark one, let us call him Satan!
If there is not, a demonic influence into addiction, then why do so many addictions exist? Food, Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, work, bodybuilding, internet, chocolate, perfectionism, just to name a few. It's this wrtiters personal opinion, that there is a powerful demon assigned to every separate addiction, with many imps to carry out their attack on the human soul. There is hope for the broken! For every demon that there is to break us, there is a more powerful Angel to fight for our very soul.
We treatment professionals consider addiction a problem, when a person's life is affected in a negative way, as a result of the use, or abuse of a substance, or behavior.
Regardless of a persons belief system, good always trumps evil; have you never watched the Superhero sagas?
But seriously, think about it on a deeper than human level.
For this writer...It's simple, I was pulled from the pits of hell, by an angelic force, to walk with Jesus Christ, one on one!  Kudos to you if something else has helped you. But for me and my house, I will serve The Lord God with all my being, giving back, to a world I took from for many years. If you, or a loved one is struggling with addiction, hold on, help is on the way.
Blessings!

What is sin?

Recently I learned something about archery. I learned that the distance between where your arrow hits and the desired target is called sin; it's referenced to "missing the mark" having heard the terminology and knowing the archery term, makes it apparent that it's a reflection of our lives. No matter how hard we try, we miss the mark! What a gift Our Father gave us, when he sacrificed his only son, for our inequities. Consider someone asking us, to give our children away, for another missing the mark? Doubtful any person could fathom such a thought. Sometimes, surrendering our will and understanding we're not God, is our greatest achievement. Control? When all is done, we have none, nor have we ever had any!