(This is a book review by Roger. This is a topic that needs our prayer.)
The Face of Addiction: Stories of Loss and Recovery
Joshua Lawson
Quoir, $7.95 softcover
A dozen voices from southern Ohio along the Ohio River reveal the humanity behind addiction. These dozen daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, and others speak honestly to Joshua Lawson. In their sharing, they show that they are not to be shunned, but to be loved and valued because what they have is an illness, a disease like any other.
As a culture, we too often agree with a sheriff’s words that the only cure for an addict is “a tall tree and a short rope.” In making the users of the “opioid crisis” invisible faces, we make them enemies and losers and worse. But they are, as shown in these interviews, victims of sexual abuse, parental mistreatment, emotional trauma, and other ills. Being addicted to any drug, we learn over and over from these interviews, is not a choice but a result.
Lawson brief book is a testament to St. Paul’s words in Romans 7:19 and because of those words, we need to love the addict and help each of the many of them in our midst realize that they, too, are a child of God. Blaming is not a cure, but validating is.
What makes for the best runs, the ones we remember? Have you ever thought about it? On the morning of Tuesday, December 3rd, I had one and here’s why I finished all excited about the effort.
I don’t usually see anyone else out running so early in the morning. Since my effort at recovery, the other runners around here have gone other ways or later in the day.
Late the day before, I heard about the possibility of snow, just like most of you did. I always get excited about snow since we see it so seldom in this area. Predictions were that snow would fall about 2:30am, so I got up and checked outside. Sure enough, we had snow! I went outside and made a few pictures while walking around in it. But already, I was excited for my 5:45am run!
It was 23 degrees when I got up at just before 5am and hit the road thinking that the pavement had very little snow and it wouldn’t be slick. I was wrong on both counts. The pavement in spots had swirled snow with icy spots, and when passing next to or under trees, I felt my feet slip on occasion. As most snow and ice runners figure out quickly, if the first foot slips and the other doesn’t stabilize the stride, then you’re likely going down. Over the years when I was a faster runner, I fell so hard on pavement a few times that my teeth felt the jarring crash. On sloping roads, or as it was this morning when passing under shaded areas, feet can lose traction quickly. Older now, and maybe with a little better wisdom because of it, I took it easy on the slick spots and even walked a few of them.
We only had a half to 3/4ths of an inch of snow on the ground, but running this morning still made for a wonderful memory. I was able to find the blackest spots nearest the edge of the road for better traction to start and then on the return trip with more light in the sky, I looked for the grayest spots. I didn’t fall but just missed my goal pace for the run. If there had been more snow on the road, I would have looked for the whitest snow which always has the best traction.
Speaking of memories, I remember a long-ago big snow when all five kids and a restless wife were in the house and wanted a few things from the store. I admitted to being a little restless myself and took off to the nearest convenience store, about five miles away. I had tied a plastic sled to my waist with a rope. This time, plenty of snow was on the road and almost no cars. It was too early in this storm for the snowplows to hit the back roads.
I ran to the store, got milk to make snow cream, the Sunday Charlotte Observer (the Post would be delivered later), some bread and a few lesser things. I had a blast running back home and the sled came right along. Everybody was happy when I arrived, but no one more than me. After snow cream and some playing in the snow, we had a good time just reading, watching movies and looking at the winter wonderland all around us. I couldn’t have stood all the downtime without that run, but my mind was at ease with the great workout! Funny how that happens just about every time!
On the morning of December 11th, I ran in a steady rain and blowing wind from the southeast. The effort needed was harder than it should have been, and my soaked shoes, shorts, socks and shirt totaled three pounds afterwards. I wouldn’t have missed either of these memories. It is great to be back on the roads!
Our next race ahead is the Bradshaw Rogers Financial Partners Resolution Run 5K at The Forum on January 1st. Look for this and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
In Matthew 5 in the beatitudes it says we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for Him.
Cultivating a constant hunger and thirst for God brings great rewards and much blessing.
God wants to be wanted and longed for. May the Lord give us grace to pursue this.
Prayer: Lord, my heart and soul does long for You as I do need You. I can not exist without You. You are everything to me. Holy Spirit I pray that You keep that longing growing in me that I will always want Him and long for Him and not just what He can do for me. I bless You Lord today in Jesus name. Amen.
Many kids can’t wait for Christmas morning when they will tear into the packages that wait for them under the tree. This group of kids learned what it is like to be on the other side… the giver side… and it changes their lives. The story will give you hope for a new generation and it will touch your heart…. Thanks Steve Hartman!
Take a few moments and consider the man God called to be Jesus’ father. God picked him. Consider it. Listen as David Jeremiah shares about the importance of Joseph. ENJOY!
“There are two types of people – those who like white lights and those who like colored lights. And they marry each other.” I read this in a Facebook post and chuckled at how true those words are. You may have your own strong opinions about the subject, but there is something about twinkling lights on a tree or candles in the window this time of year.
They remind many of us of the skies that first Christmas night. The New Testament book of Luke in the Bible tells us that when shepherds in the fields looked up, a multitude of heavenly hosts filled the sky and the glory of the Lord shone around them! No wonder the shepherds were filled with great fear. They were familiar with the heavens and had never seen anything like this night! Lowly shepherds, the least of the least being the first on the guest list to see the king born in a manger. Nothing had ever been proclaimed to them, and now – a loud, illuminating proclamation they would never forget.
Not only were heavenly beings lighting up the darkness above, but a new star, the Bethlehem star, was being intently followed by wise men who would only find precisely where the star was leading after a journey of a couple of years. But we know that “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). Wise men dabbled between pagan understandings of the sky with a lifelong search that had never been quenched. They followed a star, remembering something about the prophecies of those chosen people they had heard so long ago. That star! Who else saw this star, knew it to be something out of the ordinary, but dismissed it? Not these. They pursued it until it led them to worship.
Psalms 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Never was this more true than that spectacular night!
Yet, the glory was not merely above the clouds proclaiming through songs of angels nor something mysterious shining in the celestials. The glory of God had come down to earth as Emmanuel – God with us. We call him Jesus.
Today, God is with us in the person of His Holy Spirit, abiding in hearts that make room for Him. Yet, we still wait for Jesus to come and dwell among us again in a perfect home.
Many of us do not have the blessing of living in vast country spaces devoid of city lights or even streetlights. We cannot have a clear, unobscured view of the night sky in all its glory. Even if we did, nothing compares to the evening Christ was born. Yet, maybe with childlike wonder, we can drive to the neighborhood nearby adorned in festive light, a drive through that Christmas village, or even simply do as my youngest children and grab a cozy blanket and a pillow and lay under the Christmas tree, looking up into the colored or white lights above.
Close your eyes and imagine that first Christmas night and give thanks that the message came to you wherever you are.
Ashlie Miller and her family compromise with both colored and white lights. Her 7 year old’s favorite tree can do both lights with a fun switch that he has discovered.
Take a deep breath…we’re almost there! I know we all have a few last minute things to do to get ready for Christmas, but I know we will make it. Soon it will be time to eat some delicious food at a beautifully decorated table. Soon it will be time to open the Christmas packages. Soon it will be time to read the Christmas story and savor the celebration of our Savior’s birth.
I have been reflecting back on Christmases past and thought I would share a few special memories. My Dad invited me to his apartment one year. When I arrived, he was playing “The Nutcracker” on his stereo. He had put Christmas lights and some ornaments on his Ficus tree. We had Christmas together and he had put some thought into our gifts. The memory of that day still burns bright and “The Nutcracker” music has become part of my Christmas traditions.
My mother has always worked to make Christmas a very special time. Even into my adult life she still manages to surprise me with thoughtful gifts. We don’t get to spend Christmas day together but we pick a day and it becomes Christmas for us. We both strive to make it a very special time together. I can hardly think about Christmas without thinking about my mother. She can be more excited than a kid.
My wife grew up getting a new Christmas ornament each year. We didn’t do that in my family. We started early in our married life giving each other Christmas ornaments. We now have quite a collection of beautiful, very special ornaments for our tree. That means that it takes quite a while to decorate and take down our tree each year.
When my sister and I got old enough to stay up late, we started attending the 11 PM Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church. There was a woman in our church who sang, “O Holy Night” every year and when she sang, Christmas came for me. My sister told me it was when a man in our church sang, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” that Christmas came for her. Music can touch our heart in such deep ways.
We all know the Christmas story. The Son of God was born to a virgin whose husband believed and trusted God in the midst of unbelievable circumstances. They took a tough journey to Bethlehem right at the end of her pregnancy to obey the degree to register and pay their taxes. They arrived at Bethlehem to discover the inn was full of other travelers who had to register and pay their taxes, too. They were relegated to a cave or barn where animals took shelter, to give birth to Son of God.
Have you ever considered how inadequate they must have felt? Can you imagine how Joseph felt not being able to provide a better place for his wife and God’s Son? They were first time parents and who do they get to learn and make mistakes with but God’s Son! While they are dealing with their internal battles of self-doubt here comes a group of shepherds talking of angels and begging to see their son. Was this really God’s plan for the birth of His Son?
Life comes at us from so many different directions. It can seem crazy, chaotic, and out of our control. We find ourselves wondering, “Where is God? Did He forget about me?” The truth is He never forgets about us. He sees every second of every day. He knows about our troubles and has made plans to meet our needs. Mary and Joseph received incredible gifts from the Magi to meet their needs. God will come through for you because He sees and knows you!
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But some people are dealing with health problems, financial issues, personal struggles, worries, and the pain of missing loved ones. I want to encourage you to remember those around you who are struggling to find the joy of this season. Pray for them. Ask God to show you how you can lift their spirits and share your joy with them. Jesus came 2000 years ago to give each one of us peace and joy. But more than that, He came to reveal to us that God loves us and cares more about us than we can understand. No matter what you are going through, heaven’s gift is available for you. All you have to do is open your heart and receive it. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and God’s love, peace, and joy in the coming year!
Morning rides on my stationary handcycle have led to many friendships. On one of those rides just after our move here four years ago, a man walked up and asked me, “How much of that [the riding on the handcycle] do you do?” As another friend says about our chance encounter, “A beautiful way it happened.”
Mr. John Davidson lives near us, and after his four years of naval service during the Korean War, he taught math in Statesville High School. Once when I inquired if he had taught algebra or geometry or calculus, he responded, “No, math! You know, like six times six equals thirty-six.” Math! A discipline too often ignored in today’s educational world. His wife also taught, and they moved to the lake in the early 1980’s and reared three children. Their home and yard reflects the disciplined order of his appreciation for math. While not stuffy or overly ordered, the yard, home, and outbuildings reflect attention to detail, such as the many stones carefully placed around trees, plantings, and the driveway. All is ordered but not rigid. You know! Six times six.
Mr. John, as I know him, recently sold his last sailboat. He first sailed on a Japanese lake while on R&R during the Korean War. His joy of sailing grew from that brief experience, and he was, until recently, an active sailor on Lake Norman. However, that great equalizer–age– made it necessary to sell his last sailboat, but his passion for the simple beauty of sailing still lives, and he is fond of telling stories of his sailing adventures. During one of my morning rides he walked by and upon meeting Ken, another neighbor who moved here from Rhode Island, he discovered their shared love for boating and that they had boated on the same New England lakes. The chatter that morning around the stationary bike was more than I could compete with, so I listened and enjoyed their talk.
While age has curbed his sailing, Mr. John’s age has not affected his operation of the ham radio, and each morning, very early, he is busy talking with his many friends across the globe. More than once he has tried to get me involved in this hobby by joyfully sharing the fun he gains from it. But that is what Mr. John does: He shares the joy he has gained from life.
So many events and encounters in life happen by chance. And as I age, I realize more and more how often we come to understand that whatever happens by chance is often a “beautiful thing.” At the moment whatever “it” was probably did not appear special, but as “it” moved with that great equalizer time, the beauty of “it” blossomed like a Christmas cactus that we can hold dear and, like young Mary, ponder in our hearts.
So, Mr. John, on your 92 birthday, know that I hold your friendship, wisdom, and keen sense of humor close. Your walking by that morning years ago did happen in a beautiful way.
Mark 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
Often when we are down, it seems there is no getting up.
But when the Lord, our Master, stretches out His hand and we take it, everything changes.
He lifts us. We don’t have to do it on our own. He is our helper.
Prayer: I praise Your holy name today, because You are my helper and You give me strength when I need a helping hand. I can always look to You. You will never let me down or disappoint me. Amen.
Steve Hartman always tells a great story, but this week he shares about a Secret Santa helping people right here in NC. You have to see the story to believe it. BELIEVE in Santa! (It’s okay!) The story will touch your heart…
