The Bible, Our Playbook for Life

Just as a football team has a playbook filled with strategic plays for games, we must utilize our playbook for life - The bible.

God always intended that we reach out for his word, the Bible, in order to know how to live this life. There are play books in football and the entire team depends on the plays inside that book in order to help them win games. If we want to be victorious and win at the game of life, we must depend on God's playbook to do it.

What you will find

God's book, the Bible, is filled with wisdom and light and you won't find foolishness within it's pages. Inside of this playbook you can find answers to all manner of obstacles and dead ends you may encounter in life. If you lack love and compassion, this book will tell you why. If you wish your faith to be strengthened, the bible will tell you how to get a strong and unshakable faith. If you have the feeling that you haven't a friend or family member on earth that understands the pain and grief you're going through, we are told in the bible that there is indeed a "friend who sticks closer than a brother". It is he who can see you through these problems, even when there may be nobody else who cares what becomes of you.

At the most make or break times in my life, I have reached for his word and have never been let down.

Do you wish to find someone who understands what you're going through with all the struggles and sorrows that have been heaped on you by others in this world? You will find a man named Jesus and his story within the pages of this playbook's text. You will find that he can truly understand your grief and pain.

Do you feel persecuted and treated unjustly by those who are to care the most for you - your family?

We read in the bible that even a man's own dear family and friends may turn against him. This is a sad fact of life. But we do not have to allow the pain of even this to have power and reign over us. We do not have to allow anger and bitterness to rule over us and control our actions and our lives. We do not have to allow sin to have dominion over us.

While we go about living this life and learning from the struggles we endure, we can come out of a trial either stronger or weaker than when we first experienced the pain of it. We will have pain and struggles and we will most likely be angry, hurt, humiliated and betrayed but in all of these things, we can know by reaching for his playbook that he has never left our side and that he will see us through these things as well.

From the Book of Psalms more than any other, I have found the words that have offered me the comfort that was needed to see me through some truly devastating times. In these pages I have read where God say's that he will settle the matters that have caused me pain and suffering. He not only wants to do this for me, he wants to do this for all who would call upon him. It is he and not me who will set all things straight and will judge a matter in which I have been wronged or hurt by another. We are not able to judge matters rightly as he can. No matter what we say, do or think, God knows what is in the heart of man. Therefore, it is only he who is able to judge and not we ourselves.

The playbook can and will direct our steps we take on our journey in this life.

We read in the bible that it is not in man to direct his steps and to plot his own course in life. We are to be directed by God's spirit and by his Holy word.

Our eyes and senses divert our attention away from God, his word and his truth. This world is filled with powerful attention getters. We have television, movies, sports, money, shopping, politics, religion, all competing for our attention and time in this life. Time is one commodity that is truly worth it's weight in gold. We waste precious time on things that will ultimately dry up and wither away. But what of the things that will last forever like our souls? What about our spirit that God has given us? What will happen to us once we have lost our life in this world and go on to our life in the hereafter?

These are all questions that many want answers to.

God would have us to be concerned over these questions and the answers to them. God would have us ponder the afterlife. He would have us to ask questions of him, for he desires to give us answers.

The answers to these questions are all in the playbook for life, the Bible.

May we all strive to give more attention to this playbook. It is in our best interest to do so. God would not have us be blinded to his truth and to understanding that truth. We are bombarded on all sides by lies and deceit because we live in this world which grows darker by the day. But you will find no lies and deceit within the pages of the bible. Only truth and light.

Drug Addiction: Shattered Dreams, Wasted Lives, Pt 5

The Tragedy Of The Enabling Parent

I have received a mountain of email asking me to write more on one particular issue in the life of the drug addict and his or her family.

The issue is that of strife in the family due to one parent taking on the role of the enabler while the other family members have stopped enabling. This is a very bad place to be. The addict will ensnare the enabling parent by insisting on his "help" no matter what the cost to the rest of the family or your bank account. You should know that if an addict can get his way, he will not care how it will complicate your life, marriage, or your relationship with your other children. Many addicts play one parent against the other in order to get their way. This is something you must realize and take steps to stop if it is already wreaking havoc in your life.

The Enabling Parent causes strife and grief in the lives of many

The main theme of most of the mail I've received on this subject is as follows:

"I have a brother who is addicted to drugs, me and my mother have told my dad that he must stop enabling my brother's behavior. We have told him the dangers, etc.. but he refuses to stop enabling him because he says my brother would not have anyone else to help him and that he will not turn his back on his son". He pays his bills, gives him money and bails him out of jail every time.
Can you please help me, my dad just won't listen?

The father, the enabling parent in this situation, along with other family members are the only ones who are truly ABLE to do something since the addict himself will not.

Here we have the mother and sister of the addict who have already realized that enabling is not helping the addict. The dad on the other hand is still caught in the web of enabling.

What can the distraught family members do who struggle to get through to the enabling dad?

The truth is always the best and it is no exception in this case. They must make sure they have faced the enabling dad with that truth. They must tell him how his behavior is ultimately pushing the addict on into deeper addiction by taking care of the addicted son's needs and worsening it by giving him the money or resources to get more drugs. They must tell the enabling dad that he is putting up a barrier that prevents his addicted son from facing consequences that we ALL must face as a result of our wrongdoing in this life. They must tell him that taking care of every need his addicted son has is getting in God's way and blocking his son from hitting rock bottom. The enabling dad is guilty of hurting his addicted son, yet he believes he's helping him.

What can the father do if he wants to do right by his addicted son?
Stop pushing the addicted son toward deeper addiction by giving him money, paying his bills, etc.

Who is the enabling dad hurting in this saga?

The answer is not only his addicted son, read on:

1. He is hurting his addicted son by enabling him to continue his life of addiction.

2. He is hurting his daughter by coddling and enabling the addict brother. The father is showing his daughter who is not addicted, that's it's ok to do wrong and not ever suffer consequences. He's showing the daughter that anything her brother wants, he gets. He is showing his daughter that he is a pushover and is naive and gullible in the extreme and is worthy of being used, abused and manipulated.

3. He is hurting his wife. Many fights and much strife has abided in the households of those who have addicted children. In this situation, the wife sees what is going on and has stopped enabling her addicted son while the dad continues bending over backwards in order to supply everything his addicted son desires.

The very focus of this family is geared toward the addicted child.

4. The enabling dad is hurting himself. We all have opinions and views of our family members, our views are based upon what they believe, do and say. In this situation, the father who is enabling is viewed poorly by his addicted son, even though he provides the son everything and denies him nothing. Make no mistake, the addict son views the enabling dad as weak and someone worthy to be conned and manipulated. The daughter sees her father in the same light. The wife views her husband the same as the daughter does. Yes, in this situation, the only one thinking he is doing his addicted son a great service is the enabling dad.

Addicts Look For Anyone To Use

While an addict has anyone taking care of the responsibilities that he himself should be taking care of, he will NEVER get better. Why would he? He has the best of both worlds. He does not have to work and he does not have to be RESPONSIBLE for anything he needs to live this life. He has already learned how to WORK his family over to such a great extent that he has no need to put forth an ounce of effort to take care of himself!

Why else should the enabling father say NO to his drug addict son?

Bad behavior such as: lying, stealing and manipulating is not something that we should allow from our family members. Just because we love them and they are family does NOT give them the right to use, abuse, and manipulate us.

God himself and Jesus Christ our Savior does not want this for us. For us to by lied to, manipulated or used by a family member is not God's will for our lives!

In fact, our family members should be the very ones who can be counted on to treat us with respect, loyalty, love and honesty.

Most parents do not want to face the truth that their addicted child is blatantly using them and conning them. Even though they may have a sense this is what's going on, they choose to believe otherwise.

Why does the enabling parent keep this up?

At the heart of enabling, there is a feeling that just one more time of helping the addict will make all the difference... What does this mean? The enabling parent feels that THIS TIME things will be different. "If I just help them out this one LAST time".

I have known addicts who are so accustomed to having their enabling parent tell them, "This is the last time I help you", that their response is a muffled "Yeah Right". The response is as if to say, "I know you don't mean a word of it. You'll ALWAYS do what I want you to do, your actions so far have shown it.... so get off my back"!

When an enabling parent gives out warnings such as the one above, this is like a joke to the drug addicted child. A running joke that is, because by this time the enabling parent's "warnings" have went on for years. Children LEARN from experience what they can get by with, and a drug addicted person is like a cunning, manipulative child who learns from watching his enabling parent give into his every whim. The enabling parent simply must come to this realization.

Why does the enabling parent believe their addicted child and continue enabling them?

The parent does this because they have been lied to all along by their addicted child. An addict will say to their enabling parent that they:

1. are currently looking for rehabs

2. have a good lead on a great job

3. things are definitely looking up for them and they are SO glad that their mom or dad has not given up on them like everyone else has!

These words are intended to play on the sympathy of the enabling parent.

This is just stringing the enabling parent along and the addicted child knows what the parent wants to hear, so that is what he tells him or her.

The Protective Hand of God

We in America have taken the protective hand of God for granted. How many potential hurricanes have been diverted from their path at precisely the right time so as to not intrude near our shores?
The Story of Job and the Great Destroying Wind

In the book of Job, God said, "Behold, all is in your (Satan's) hands. Satan left from the presence of God and the great wind ensued. This happened because Satan told God that the only reason Job is faithful to him is because of God's hedge of protection upon Job.

Read carefully:

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy (satan's) power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord

At that moment God lifted that hedge of protection from Job.

Afterward, the great wind caused the death of Job's children:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Even though Job lost everything he had and later, even his own body suffered, still he kept his faith and did not charge God foolishly for the things he suffered.

Losing Everything

I can hardly imagine what it would be like to lose everything. The only sure thing I do know is that if I suffered the loss of all things, I would still have God with me. That is a small consolation for some, but it is the biggest consolation I can think of for me.

We in America believe that if we don't have a well paying job, luxurious home or other earthly needs met, our life is over. Surely our life consists of more than these things. Many early Christians were nomads, wandering around with only the clothes on their backs and no big dreams and goals to sustain them. They wandered around preaching and teaching and helping their fellow man. Their chief objective and desire was telling all of the Good News of Christ. How far this description is from our preachers and teachers of today. The wealthy preachers of today cannot be satisfied with four walls and a roof. They build their mansions and have three cars packed in a garage that's the size of many people's homes.

A Question of Repentance

We in America think we have seen the worst of disasters in Katrina. But if we choose to harden our necks and remain unrepentant towards God, there are future things we may witness that could make Katrina look tame.

We as a nation have decided to toss God out of our personal lives, courts, schools and even a majority of our churches on a grand scale.

We have enjoyed God's protective hand and been at ease in the land of freedom for far too long. It is entirely possible that his hand of protection has been lifted from us. God will not stay where he is not welcome nor even acknowledged.

After 9-11, there was a grand opportunity for all of us in America to repent of our sins and welcome God back into our hearts and lives. Now that this hurricane has caused death and destruction, we again have opportunity to repent.

Those in the Christian Church who call God by name and profess to know him must repent of their greed and gluttony and desire for earthly things. Money and other possessions have been idols in our hearts for far too long.

All of us in America must recognize the Iraq invasion for what it is, an unjust war, and repent of it

Our military must leave Iraq and our Administration must make restitution for the wrongs that have been done there.

Any deceit and misinformation that has been allowed to grow and fester in our Administration must be dealt with and repented of.

The sin of pride, greed and haughtiness by those in America must be repented of and must cease.

Judgment upon the earth Isaiah 4

4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.

I believe that America, and not any isolated city or state will be humbled and brought low from God Almighty. Last week we witnessed the destruction of New Orleans and Mississippi, next week it could very well be the west coast in peril and lamentations. I am well aware of the sin and depravity that Mardi Gras has hosted for many years, make no mistake, God is not pleased by it, but I happen to believe that the entire nation will be judged and no area on the map will be safe from his wrath if we do not repent.

When a horrible calamity such as hurricane Katrina strikes, many in our nation ask "Why has God allowed this"?

Why would these people who turn their backs to God continuously choose to bring up his name now? Many of these people do not bring up his name in thanksgiving for all the good he brings to their lives. They never acknowledge his existence, yet they hold him accountable for destruction and suffering when it strikes. This way of thinking is misguided and foolish.

Those affected by this destructive hurricane looked to the government for help and were disappointed.

As I type this, it is being announced that Michael Brown has been removed from overseeing the Katrina Hurricane disaster. What a debacle that was. Where is the accountability for who put him in charge in the first place, President Bush?

Many were angry and felt betrayed by their elected officials and Federal Government because of their slow response to the tremendous needs of the people. The Federal Government knew how bad this hurricane would be. These situations are monitored and everyone from the President to the head of FEMA are alerted and kept well informed. There was just no way they "didn't know" of the possible horrific outcome Katrina could leave in it's path.

America's Decay

America is the nation that repeatedly calls the name of God and claims to know him better than any other. Yet many of these who call him "Lord" have his name on their lips, but he is far from their hearts.

People have replaced God with every useless idol imaginable. Here in America, many think more of their favorite automobile or sport than they do of their creator God.

America is currently engaged in bombings and killings of innocent Iraqi citizens and has been since 2003. We in America have not spoken out about this travesty as we should have. We have remained silent on this issue. Many could care less since we are not the ones getting bombed or invaded. We are lazy and complacent. Yet who cares to open their hearts and eyes to these facts? Who cries out to God and repents for these sins? While we remain comfortable and at ease, gazing at our big screen televisions, our nation is falling apart at it's seams. Our nation is slowly decaying and crumbling before our eyes and we do not even recognize it.

Hope for America

This is a time of trial for us as Americans. I believe that there are many God fearing people in America who are drawing nearer to God an he is doing likewise. There is nothing like a tragedy of this magnitude to show us where our treasures truly lie. Are your treasures invested in heaven or are they invested in this earth where dust can corrupt them and they can be taken away at a moments notice? Nothing in this life is permanent. Dear souls, everything that this life consists of is temporary. Tomorrow I could be both homeless and penniless. But even so, I would not be Godless. For no one can take away from me who I am, not to mention the God I love and serve.

The Seared Conscience of the Sociopath Part 1

1 Timothy 4

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Evil:

1. Anything which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; anything which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; injury;

mischief; harm; -- opposed to {good}. Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought. --Milton.

Those who have turned from God and have chosen to serve themselves are those who have had their conscience seared. These people are haughty, high minded and self-centered.

Some may characterize these people as narcissists or sociopaths.

In dealing with the sociopath, many dread to go near them with good reason. One thing is certain, prayer is an absolute must before being in the presence of such people.

What are a few characteristics of the sociopath?

I list these characteristics because they are the primary ones I have personally noted when dealing with the sociopath.

1. One who shows no regard for the feelings or needs of others.

3. Has a grandiose or elitist attitude

3. Displays a horrific sense of entitlement

4. Consumed with both jealousy and envy

5. Shows no empathy nor regard for their fellow human beings.

These people are concerned only with what they can gain out of each and every situation. America is said to be currently bombarded with a "ME" generation. Have you heard the expression, "What's in it for me"? Chances are you've met up with a sociopath who has little or no conscience. Every thing's about them. Constantly being ordered around by someone who won't lift one finger to ever help you, yet they can spew out orders with the greatest of ease? Chances are you have one of these selfish and hurtful people in your life.

These people must be the center of attention at all times. Do not ignore them or you will feel their wrath.

These people secretly feel (although they would never admit to it) as if they're superior to God.

I sometimes wonder if these people don't actually feel that they could rule both heaven and earth better than God himself! Their behavior certainly seems to conclude these assumptions. Sounds like Satan himself doesn't it? He wanted to rule above and to be worshipped by Jesus himself! Now if you have never met a person like this, there is no way for you to understand what it's like in having to deal with them.

These are a lazy bunch
Except when there are reasons not to be lazy and an activity of some sort would benefit them. They prefer not to do menial tasks such as working at a job or even taking out the trash. Chores such as these are beneath them and are seen as unworthy tasks, not suitable for someone of such high stature as themselves.

These people will scheme and con their way through life looking for people who will serve them and their purposes well. It seems at times that they never stop dreaming up ways to get more out of life, but for all their day dreaming, they enlist others to fight their fights for them. They prefer to watch from afar and remain inconspicuous when able, unless there is reason for them to actively participate in the evil they've helped to create.

These people are charmers and flatterers when necessary to further their cause. They know what others want to hear and will heap great praises upon whomever they're trying to con.

They prefer choice seats at restaurants, to them only center stage is satisfactory, never a back seat. Even innocent children can be manipulated, conned and used by them. They are needy, but never thankful or appreciative for anything. You can do for them over and over again and try to please them, but their lifestyle is of the highest maintenance and rest assured, you can never MAKE them HAPPY.

These hard to please people are like spoiled brats. Case is point? Confront them on some issue and let them know that they're wrong. You won't believe the fight you'll be in for and the misery they will attempt to heap upon you. Why would they react this way? So that you won't make the serious error of correcting them again. You will have to seriously weigh whether or not you should attempt to correct them on any issue in the future, no matter how large or small! Such twisted reality craves unending devotion to them -- unquestioning devotion.

Saying No

NO is not in these people's vocabulary. If you tell them no, even for the best of reasons, they will scorn you and resent you.

Try saying no and denying the selfish, self-centered sociopath and see what you get. Most likely they will use GUILT and TEARS to get their way next time. You will be feeling so guilty that you will think twice before using that two lettered word with them again.

Sociopath's never allow you to question them. However, it's totally acceptable for them to question you. What's good for the goose is never good for the gander from their distorted viewpoint. Sulking and tears are only two weapons in their arsenal among a long list of other such manipulative toys.

If you refuse to go along with their twisted and ungodly ventures, prepare to have a bulls-eye permanently tacked to your back because these people will stop at nothing to make you suffer for not bowing down to them. You see, to them you have committed the unpardonable sin. That of willful disobedience toward them, and they won't soon forget it! These people's egos are so large they would fill a Mack truck! But they themselves are small indeed. The longer you know one of them and truly start to understand them, the smaller they seem. Consider the following bible verse in which God describes Satan and compare his description with that of the sociopath. Those people you know who lack conscience :

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

This verse has always reminded me of those who are selfish and self serving and who care nothing about others. This describes the sociopath or the narcissist well.

Pathological Liars

We all have been lied to. It's pretty much a common occurrence for all of us in life, yet God says that all liars will have their place in hell. With the sociopath, truth is a rarity, whereas lies are the norm. There sometimes seems to be no rhyme or reason for the abundance of lies that spew forth from their lips.

They will lie to you about what you just heard. What you know as a fact, they will label fiction. Even with things that you alone have firsthand knowledge of.

We are told in the BIBLE that one of the things that God hates, one that is an abomination to him, is feet that are swift in running towards mischief. The person I've described to you remains in a state of malicious mischief. They scorn to stay out of trouble and to stop their gossiping and backbiting. They see nothing wrong with their actions. We are to live our lives and carry on with our work in such a way that we keep our heads down, avoid gossip and even the appearance of evil, yet if you tell these people how God desires us to live, it would seem as though you were speaking a foreign language to them. It appears it is not in them to understand godly morals.