Tim Tebow~His Faith, His Purpose
Spirituality Guest Columnist: Lisa Baldwin
 _Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos Quarterback) is not afraid to proclaim who his savior is!! He has gained a lot of popularity because of his skills on the football field and more importantly his openness about his Christian faith. Every time Tim is interviwed on TV, he always gives ALL the glory to God.
He openly talks about his relationship with Jesus Christ and even kneels before and after every game in a moment of prayer now known as “tebowing”. Why are people so angry that he proclaims his faith in God? When in America freedom of speech is so declared. Why the big uproar when others display their immoral behaviors and beliefs and it is accepted and not declared unnecessary?
I am so happy that Tebow has not wavered in expressing his beliefs in a world that has been plagued with self-righteousness and ungodly principles. I am so happy to see a Christian take a stand even amidst negativity and insults and yet remain true to their convictios. Tim Tebow was created for such a TIME AS THIS!!! Let's lead his example and be NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16 (King James)
picture(Sports Illustrated)
Are You Stuck.....
Guest Writer: Min. Marquise Miller
In the Oklahoma snow storm of 2010, I got stuck!!! As I was sitting there God begin to speak to me about how people get stuck. God then begin to speak to me, and revealed 3 ways to get unstuck!They are listed below:- Back up!
- Get some traction!
- Be willing to use the strength of others.
I must admit if I would have chose to listen to my wife, and never gone out in one of the most treacherous storms in our states history, I would have never got stuck!!! But I didn’t! So shoot me! Just like I didn’t listen to my wife’s words we don’t listen to God's written word or his audible words that he speaks into our inner man. We usually identify God’s voice as that “something told me.” That something is usually God! But anyhow, I’m driving and I don’t even get one mile away from my house and I begin to lose control of my vehicle and begin to slide. David said I almost lost my footing until I went into the house of God. I lost all my traction and begin to slip and slide all over the road and before I knew it I was in a big snow drift, just stuck! Men sometimes your wife is right listen to her! As I was sitting there stuck in that snow, less than 60 seconds help arrived. These 2 gentlemen with 2 big trucks came and pulled me out. I didn’t have enough strength to get myself out but God sent 2 others who had more strength than I did. Whatever situation you might find yourself stuck in keep your eyes open and your heart ready to receive the help that God sends you, because it’s on the way! Often times when we get stuck we find ourselves trying to get help from those who are not stronger in the area in which we need help but if you are serious about getting unstuck you must be able to identify those who are stronger than you in certain areas and use their strength to help you get unstuck.Ecclesiastes 4
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Many of us are stuck and we are all alone, and Ecclesiastes says woe! Many of us just can’t get passed certain issues in our marriage, can’t get passed certain emotional issues, can’t get passed certain financial issues and just find ourselves in more debt, can’t get passed certain parental issues and our kids seem to be getting worse, can’t get passed the state of not knowing what to do, can’t get passed being confused about who to date or who to break up with.
If I would have been all alone out there on that road with no one nearby, because it was well below freezing I would have been in real trouble. Many of us are trying to face too much all alone. Ask a strong Christian at your church to go to lunch, invite them over for dinner, go work-out together, get your nails done together, and watch God use your relationship with Godly people to help you get unstuck. For Woe unto the man who is alone when he falleth (gets stuck). Ecc 4: 10
Secondly, another way to get unstuck is to simply back up! When I was stuck, I saw other cars get stuck and they were able to get unstuck because they just backed up. Sometimes we are too close to certain situations that we are not able to see clearly. Put your face as close to this computer screen as possible, it’s really hard reading the words isn’t it. But when you back up you can see the words clearly. I believe God was saying to me, if you want to get unstuck you must back up because you’re too close to the problem that you’re not seeing things clearly. Sometimes you can be so close to the situation so long that you and the problem or situations become one. But God never wants us to unite with our problems or situations, because anything we unite with becomes a part of who we are.
God is saying you are allowing this problem or situation to become who you are, so I need you to back up. I need you to back up from that unhealthy relationship because you are starting to believe that your verbal and physical abuse should go together. You are starting to believe that you and depression go together. You mustn’t believe that you have no purpose, vision. If you are stuck you should back up and proceed with caution.
If you are stuck in debt, you must back up from leisure shopping. Whatever the situation is you must back up if you are stuck.Lastly, if you want to get unstuck you must get some traction. While I was stuck I saw others putting cat litter under their wheels and some even had a piece of carpet in order to give them traction. In Psalms 73: verses 2, 3, and 17 David talks about a time in which he almost slipped and lost his way because he got stuck on a particular issue. The frustration that David experienced was due to the prosperity of the wicked. David didn’t understand why the wicked prospered and the godly suffered!! If you are serious about getting unstuck, you must go to the house of God. This is where David found his answers, and solace.
Psalms 73: 2, 3, & 17
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Holy Land Experience
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
WINNERS DEVELOP ROUTINES
guest writer: Marquise Miller
Think about how kings lived in the Biblical times and thereafter.
1 Peter 2:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Point: It is sad to be apart of a royal family but miss out on the benefits that come from it.
Routine as defined in the dictionary.
c. A prescribed. Detailed course of action to be followed regularly, a standard procedure.
d. Having no special quality; ordinary
Matthew 28: 19
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
a. We will never become devoted followers of Christ or disciples if we do not learn that kings live by routines.
Why do Kings live by routines?
Point 1: Because it allows them to advance their kingdom and protect it from its enemies.
2 Samuel 11: 1
2 Samuel 11 David and Bathsheba 1 In the spring of the year,[a] when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Point 2: Kings live by routines because it limited their weaknesses and optimizes their strengths.
1. What areas of your life do you struggle the most? ___________________________
2. What is your biggest weakness or area of your life that concerns you the most? _____________________________
Point 3: Kings live by routines because they like to control the direction of their lives, resources, and people around them. Luke 18: 1
2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
Point 4: Kings live by routines because they realize that champions are not made but are recognized.
David Kills Goliath 32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Conclusion: Kings live by routines because they realize that routines turn into habits and habits turn into lifestyles, which dictate how you live.
RECAP:
Things you should have learned :
1. You have enemies! Real alive enemies and abstract enemies that will rob you of life, your relationship with God, vision, productivity, and limit your ability to dominate.
2. That whatever area of life that you exhibit weaknesses, you must develop routines that will limit or alleviate those weaknesses.
3. If you don’t like something about your life or you don’t like the direction your life is going, you must develop a routine.
4. Dominating life and not allowing life to dominate you can only be done by having healthy and godly routines. Because boxing champions do not become champions in the ring, they become champions outside of the ring. You will not become a champion by coming to church alone, you will become a champion by having a godly and healthy routines.
5. If you do not set a time and place to do pray and read your word, you probably wont do it.
REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS!
So how do I apply this word to my life?
1. Think about the areas of your life that frustrate you the most, is it your weight? Then develop a work out routine at least 2 days out of the week for at least 15 minutes. Is it your relationship with God, you really want to hear his voice and feel his presence? Then set aside a certain time and place for you to have some quiet time. Is your marriage not as good as you want it to be? Then set up a date nite, where you and your spouse just spend time together playing games, cooking, going to the movies and doing other married folk stuff. May be you are frustrated with your childrens educational level? Then set up a time and a place to read to them show them flashcard, buy them leapfrogs books and read with them every nite before bed.
2. Set a time and place where you can follow through with your routine. If you know cant study at home, then don’t go to the library and study. If you cant focus on God at home then find another place like a church that has morning prayer or evening prayer. If you cant work out at home then get you a Y.M.C.A membership or go walk around your neighborhood or local park.
IF GOD WAS A CELEBRITY......
 written by: Lisa J. Baldwin, Editor-in-Chief Why are Americans so intrigued by the likes of individuals who call themselves“Stars”? Have celebrities illuminated our brains with a grandeur of hope or fantasy? Why are Americans so enamored by these mere mortals? So much so, Americans pay and support the likes of these individuals with their time and interest. It never ceases to amaze me how Americans are so fascinated by the likes of men who offer them NOTHING!!! Why is God left at the sidelines waiting for the attention he deserves and expects, while we adore men and women with frailties and idiosyncrasies much like ours. Stardom dictates privilege and honor. While God constantly takes the back seat!!Little to no value is given to GOD who encompasses their very being? Why does this occur??? Why do Americans exhaust their hard-earned dollars not to mention their high levels of energy just to take part of a ritual or fad that ends after 3-4 hours. Why the lack of interest in a sovereign God? When God gives us so much MORE!!! The very air we breathe and his wonderfully crafted creation is a masterpiece to behold. But we have been so star-stricken that we miss out on appreciating TRUE beauty and TRUTH!! Can a celebrity provide life, health, strength a peace of mind not to mention purpose for your life? ABSOLUTELY not!!! God IS, SHALL BE, and WILL BE all that we as humans need to survive in this never-ending journey called life. Let’s just imagine for a minute.
- If God was a celebrity Americans would be willing to sit hours to attend church services to adore and worship the Creator of the Universe
- If God was a celebrity he would be sought after and treasured as the one and ONLY true God
- If God was a celebrity Americans would invest time, money and energy just to be in his presence. Example: Just to spend 3 hours of lunch with Warren Buffet one American was willing to pay 1 million dollars. Please keep in mind that this bid was submitted as of today’s posting. It could go higher!!
4. If God was celebrity paparazzi’s would take great pride in capturing every moment of his glory and splendor.
5. If God was a celebrity…..there would be no need for stars because THE only bright and shining star would fill the empty places of our lives and reign his illuminate light in the darkest places of our souls. Our lives would be complete, and fulfilled IF GOD WAS A CELEBRITY!!!
The Two Greatest Lies that Christians Tellwritten by: Lisa J. Baldwin - God told me to do this or that!!! Did God tell you? Or did your wants, needs and desires override God’s will and purpose?
- That Old Devil, he caused this or that!!! Did the devil cause it or did your poor choices or failure to trust and believe in God and his word. I’ve even heard Christians blame the devil for electronic mishaps. Did the devil really do it? Or could it be a malfunction or improper use of the equipment.
- I'm a Christian my Faith is ENOUGH!!! Example: That job is mine!!! But did you fill out the employment application or necessary paperwork? (p.s. Faith without works is DEAD!!!
As Christians we oftentimes give TOO much credit to the devil, and not enough credit or (Faith) in God!!!
Spiritually Streaking
God wants to take us deeper, to a new level in him. But we need to deal with the issues, hindrances, and sins.
Frustrated from being a defeated again! I cried out to God, “Lord I’m knowledgeable of the word, I’m fasting and praying, yet I keep falling slave to the same ole sin!”
“Why has Satan once again been victorious in his attack?” And the Lord replied, “Yes you’ve got the spiritual information, knowledge, and facts, yet putting on the WHOLE armor of God is what you lack.”
“But Lord It seems the only weapon I can attain is chains, some have been there so long now, I’ve become immune to the pain, and though I’ve been delivered and had yokes broke, they seem to find their way back around my throat!”
“Didn’t you learn anything from Peter and the boat?” Taking your eyes off me and focusing on the winds and waves is what got those yokes around your throat.”
God wants to take us deeper, to a new level in him. But we need to deal with the issues, hindrances, and sins.
Since we’re talking about armor, let’s go down the list and see what equipment that you have missed.
Put on salvation as a helmet, protecting your mind is key, for everything starts with a thought, and not casting down them down is how we end up becoming our own worst enemy.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the good news. Following my footsteps makes it impossible for you to lose.
Put on the sturdy belt of truth, for we all know that the truth will set you free, and whom so ever I set free, is free indeed!
Breastplate of Righteousness
Faith as a shield
Sword of the spirit which is the word of God,
My word ends with “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit, so the next time sin knocks at the door, it will not be allowed to come in and visit.
God wants to take us deeper, to a new level in him. But we need to deal with the issues, hindrances, and sins.
Notice this description is the WHOLE armor of God, meaning nothing missing nothing broken, and missing just one piece can get your righteousness, truth, peace, faith, word, and salvation stolen.
So yes, I say again, until you realize that one or two pieces is not enough, although our enemy is a chump, keeping him under our feet will remain tough.
I don’t know about you, but there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough! And you have to ask yourself, “Why do I keep letting the enemy take my stuff?!”
We must be careful of spiritually streaking, because that’s how sin creeps inside, and what was once spirit led, is now letting flesh control our lives, even causing some to commit spiritual suicide.
God wants to take us deeper, to a new level in him. But we need to deal with the issues, hindrances, and sins.
For those who didn’t know, there is a battle that begins everyday you wake, and not only mine and yours, but the whole world’s soul is at stake.
But this is a spiritual battle you see, not between flesh and blood but between principalities, so you being mad at me, is all a part of his plan, and that’s to keep the target focused on man, so he can continue to throw the rock and hide his hand.
So believers we must remember that this battle is not about you and not about me, but it’s about setting the captives free.
God has fully equipped us to defeat whatever keeps knocking at our door, and we must do this if we want to see the manifestation of what he has in store.
So I’ve come up with the solution that Satan will always remain defeated, and Jesus shall always win, But we have to do our part and close the door to sin.
God wants to take us deeper, to a new level in him. But we must first deal with the issues, hindrances, and sins.
The Power of Truth
written by Kathy Jimerson
There are some experiences that leave an indelible mark. Years later you still picture what you were wearing, where you were standing, and even the scent of the room. Mostly you remember how you felt. It leaves a memory reserved in that one space of time, never fading even as time moves on and as you grow older. You revisit it often still as fresh as the day it happened. You never forget.
It began when a teacher innocently asked, “Will you talk to my class? They really need a pep talk.” In a weak moment I had agreed; for days I regretted it and wanted desperately to back out. This wasn’t a classroom of normal teens planning the next date, pep rally or prom. They were a group of girls who shared a common bond or as some would say a big problem. They were all pregnant.
When I walked through the door and into their lives, it was a cold, uninviting reception.
By the looks on their faces it was unanimous: they didn’t want me there. The teacher had enough perkiness and excitement for everyone! Nauseatingly so! Having a speaker (me) gave her a baby sitter, and I knew eliminating the stack of ungraded papers on her desk was at the top of her agenda for the day. This wasn’t a win- win situation!
I stood like a melting ice sculpture. Then I heard Him, that soft inner prodding. I had only been a Christian for a few years and that small voice was becoming more and more familiar. “They don’t need a pep talk,” He whispered. “They need truth and I sent you.”
Hands sweating, heart pounding I leaned against a desk as my knees buckled. “Not now,” I thought. “Please, not now.” After years of living with secrets we were finally making a fresh beginning. My husband and I had taken new jobs and we had recently moved here with our family. For me it personally meant a clean slate; I could create a new identity. I had left all the closet skeletons back in that small town. But the prodding persisted. “Truth will set them free,” He whispered.
Regaining composure, I canvassed each face. No one made eye contact. Some stared at the floor, others stared out the window, but no one looked twice at me. I had a decision: to keep running and hiding or stand and trust. I knew about running and hiding, but I didn’t know a lot about trusting. Could I trust God with this? Was He really asking me to share with a bunch of strangers? Did He really send me here?
Conjuring up what courage I had, I opened my mouth. “I know how you feel,” the words lodged in my throat. If looks could kill, I would have been dead right on that spot. One girl shot back, “Yea, right,” as she rolled her eyes locking her arms even tighter.
She was right; no one can really know what someone feels. The teacher who invited me now nervously shuffled papers. The room filled with an awkward silence. The only sound seemed to be my heart beating. They couldn’t endure another pep talk. Looking into their eyes was too painful. I did know how they felt.
Living in a small town mine was the secret everyone knew but no one talked about, including me. Somehow not talking was supposed to make it not exist. But if it didn’t exist, why did I spend years wrapped in a blanket of guilt and shame? Why did I now see that same blanket covering these young girls? Nothing could hide their protruding stomachs just as no mask could cover their hollow eyes. There was no disguise big enough to hide the transparency of shame and guilt. It was evident each one felt as though she had been judged, condemned, and written off as a failure in one fell swoop. And they were labeled. They were teenagers, soon to be mothers, and most of them were now alone.
They were oblivious to the battle I was facing. Probably to them, I looked like another “do gooder” with some warm, fuzzy words. I wanted to avoid what I saw in their eyes, but I couldn’t. With tears welling, carefully choosing my words I began to speak. “When I was sixteen I was sitting where you are. I too was pregnant.” That is the moment, the one that took my breath away and became etched in my memory. Heads lifted, scared eyes met and hearts began to open. We had connected on a common ground.
For the next two hours my well kept secret became my story. Looking at the girls in that room, I saw my own reflection of guilt, shame and regret. If I judged myself that harshly did I see them through the same lens? No I didn’t. When I looked at them I saw hurt, confusion and lies from the enemy. I did understand. I knew the questions no one asked and I knew the “judging” society cast on them. I had allowed lies to hold me captive for years just as they were now building prison walls within these girls.
John 8:32 ‘and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’
Sometimes when you’ve lived with a secret so long, you don’t know what truth is. Sharing a common experience opens a door, but only God’s truth can set the captives free.
We all knew about feelings of guilt and shame, but no one knew much about forgiveness, including me. Conditional love seems to be part of everyone’s DNA. Unconditional love, the kind that allows hope to renew wounded hearts and damaged emotions, seems nonexistent. Even as a new Christian, I hadn’t grasped the reality. But I wanted them to be free, so it had to begin with me. I had to release ownership of my own guilt and shame and embrace forgiveness just as I had embraced God’s saving love.
A Perfect System of Opportunity
written by Monica Wood
From the beginning of time man has made excuses for missing the mark, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. In education, high school teachers blame Jr. High, Jr. High blame Elementary, Elementary teachers blame the lack of parental support for students being left behind. Even in our government, the current administration blames the prior administration. Unfortunately, we’ve been mentally conditioned to play the blame game and to make excuses.
In a perfect world, instead of looking for a person to blame or an excuse to offer, there would be a system in place where we would find an opportunity to become greater. It would be perfect! For every occupational challenge, broken dream, empty feeling, devastating issue, there was a method to move forward in opportunity.
Surprisingly enough, that system exists, and it’s reachable, a perfect system of opportunity. See, the One who created this world structured it in a way that perfection is gradually growing, developing, maturing into completion. No matter how many different challenges, tests or obstacles, we have a way to escape from the norm of making excuses. Often the expectation we ascribe to ourselves is perfection as an All Knowing, Forever Strong, and Never Failing Deity. But when we begin to see through the eyes of the One who created us, we can begin to take on another mind set.
Now we have a mind set to reject every excuse as we are developing, and take on the mind set of opportunity. For every rejection there is an opening to grow in character. With each challenge another chance to get stronger. In all test, we now have the perfect opportunity to break into undiscovered potential to succeed.
The system we are in is unfailing, it will never miss the mark, and it is complete and perfect in itself, because it was created by the One who is complete and perfect in Himself. It’s time to work the system.
Work the system by knowing that your belief and effort works hand in hand and that all things are possible to those who believe. Begin to awaken and stir up the gift of curiosity and prepare skillfully to see the greatness that is perfectly developing from you. Work the system by counting each potential excuse as a chance to celebrate. Celebrate with no excuses, know that with every one of our lifemisses, it is a developing but favorable chance to tap into the skills and abilities we have been given to be successful. That is what is known as a perfect system of opportunity.
Empowerment Scriptures: Genesis 3:12-13, Mark 1:15, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians 3:2, James 2:20, Mark 9:23, James 1:2
Empowered Magazine Celebrated EasterA Musical Drama written and produced by Church on the Rock
Performances:
Saturday, April 23 at 7pm
Sunday Morning, April 24
(during the 10am service)
Admission is Free
Don't miss this special production as we celebrate the power of the resurrection!
For more information, please call the church office at GOD-4900. On Easter, American Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches. Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, and rose from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus. Easter should not be commemorated by the Easter bunny or the Easter eggs or the pretty clothes, but the beautiful gesture of Jesus Christ dying for our sins. It wasn't easy but it was worth it!!!!
Spiritual Withdrawal and AddictionChaplain Michael Pollitt wrote an article on spiritual withdrawal in chemical dependency. After reading it, I was deeply moved by the powerful content. I wrote an outline in part on that article. I hope this information is of great significance to the community of faith readers.
In clinical terminology one of the definitions for withdrawal is a “positive craving.” In that context, the word positive is understood not as good, but rather as seeking after. Pollitt believes, based on his experience in the chemical dependency field, that one of the major causes of relapse is something he calls “spiritual withdrawal.” What follows is my investigation of the work of Pollitt. I have reviewed three of the five leading figures in the area of addiction and spirituality that he names in his article. He believes “intoxicants answer spiritual needs” in chemical dependency. For “the addict and alcoholic, intoxication is a form of spirituality, which is misguided and destructive.”
1. According to William James, MD (The Varieties of the Religious Experience, 1902), he discovered striking similarities between intoxication and the mystical state. He referred to this as “pathological mysticism” and “the anesthetic revelation.” James believed that there were two basic functions in man and woman. He identified these as the “yes” function and the “no” function. He explains there is a proper balance between the two. For example, when the “no” function dominates, the person is looking for something to bring back a spiritual equality or equivalence. What the alcoholic or addict discovers is that intoxicants become “the great exciter of the yes function in man.” History note: It was James’ book that Ebby Thacher gave to Bill Wilson (the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) in November 1934 at Towns Hospital, New York City.
2. According to Howard Clinebell, Ph.D. (Understanding and Counseling Persons with Alcohol and Drug and Behavioral Addictions, 1984), Clinebell maintains that “we will never understand intoxication as a problem until we see it as a solution.” He also observes that the existential and spirituality anxiety of the addict and alcoholic is “quieted” by the “pseudo-religious sense of oneness with themselves, others, and the divine spirit.” My interpretation of this is the alcoholic and addict attempt to satisfy their spiritual needs with chemical means. Working in the field of addiction has proven this to be true for me.
3. According to Gerald May, MD (Addiction and Grace, 1988), a layman, presented to clergy one of the major spiritual elements in addiction is intoxicants. He called upon ministers to utilize this fact in their ministry to the addicted. He says alcoholics and addicts attach themselves to things that appear to fill their spiritual void. Because intoxicants produce a good feeling they become substitutes for the spiritual.
Pollitt ends his article with this statement. “We treat physical and psychological withdrawal but to a great extent we have neglected the spiritual withdrawal.” I agree with his statement on such a serious issue that confronts all religious leaders and faith communities.
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Chaplain Michael Pollitt, D.Min, BCC, CAC. He is author of “The Spiritual and Existential Nature of Relapse in Chemically Dependent Patients” published in Chaplaincy Today, Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003. He is a certified addictions counselor and an Episcopal priest.
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