Who Owns My Lips?

A careless word may kindle strife,

A cruel word may wreck a life;

A timely word may lessen stress,

A loving word may heal and bless. —Anon.

He who guards his mouth preserves his life. —Proverbs 13:3

Let's admit it. We are a judgmental people. Even if we don't want to be there is something in us that makes a small judgment. It's how we decide if we want to spend time with a person or even speak with them. Even if we don't want to, it's the humanness in us. Even in the scope of recovery we judge..why are they further along in their recovery? Why do they keep failing and acting out?

But if there is one thing we need to consider before making that judgment is that we never know what is going on in that person's life. Instead of thinking "Why do they keep failing at recovery?" perhaps think "I wonder if there is something hindering that person that I might be able to help with?" "Or I wonder if my saying some encouraging words might bless them today?"  

And we need to examine our own words and how they are delivered. If we are only thinking these words to ourselves then we at least have a filter in place. But, it's not always the case and sometimes when we feel that we are in a recovery group, then we are safe and can express some of these thoughts. 

However, we really need to always remember that we never know if our words will throw someone's recovery off because they were hurtful.  It's true - the sayings we learned from our parents hold their weight in gold. "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all." and "Talk to others as you would to be spoken to."

Let's choose to have our words be a blessing to others. Let's work hard to rid the thoughts from our mind so that they never appear as words on our lips.

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Freedom from Addiction

Freedom from Addiction by Sarah Phillips
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12: 1-2
Have you ever met someone you thought was beyond God's reach? Someone whose life has sunk to such depths all seems hopeless? Most of us can think of people we've encountered like that. It may even be someone we love.

When we start to lose hope for another's soul, it's good to remind ourselves that some of the greatest Christian Saints were some of the most broken people. This week, in my search for Christian heroes, I encountered the story of one such person that did not resemble the perfect stained-glass images I grew up with. His name was Matthew Talbot, and here's a glimpse into his life.

The second of 13 children, Matthew was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 2, 1856. His family was poor and heavy drinking was the norm among his father and brothers. So from the start, Matthew was predisposed to alcoholism -- and sure enough, his drinking began at age 12.

As Matthew entered his teen years, odd jobs led way to a career working with bricklayers. While the local community considered him excellent at his trade, his drinking became central to his life. By the time his twenties arrived, it was common for Matthew to spend all his earned wages obtaining alcohol.

When that wasn't enough, he began selling his possessions and eventually resorted to credit. Finally, after racking up too much debt, he sunk to an all-time low: stealing.

Not only was Matthew a heavy drinker-turned-thief, but he had a terrible temper and a vulgar tongue. Gripped by his disease and his poor choices, Matthew's life was going nowhere. His mother, Elizabeth, pleaded with him to change his ways. Finally, Matthew's life sunk so low he had no earthly place to turn.

So, in 1884, Matthew's mother received an answer to her prayers. The 28-year-old went to the only place left to go: Church. There, he confessed his sins and took a pledge to avoid drinking for 3 months. He seemed an unlikely candidate to keep the pledge. Yet Matthew had experienced an interior conversion in that church.

Three months passed, and he was still sober. Inspired by his progress, he pledged to avoid drinking for life and also gave up tobacco.

While Matthew's first several years of sobriety consisted of intense, interior battles, he lived the rest of his life with unwavering devotion to God. The once angry, vulgar Irishman became kind to those he encountered, and he paid back all his debts. He lived simply, prayed daily, and served those in need, eventually taking monastic vows.

Mathew Talbot died at age 69 while walking to church. He had been sober for 41 years.
Matthew's story is a testament to God's transforming power as well as our participation in that transformation. A tearful mother pleaded, a broken young man made a decision to change, and God poured out His graces.

 It's also worth noting that Matthew, with the help of his pastor, employed many of the same steps later incorporated into the Alcoholic's Anonymous 12-Step program. While he wasn't healed overnight, Matthew Talbot eventually experienced new life, giving hope to those battling addictions and the people who love them.

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Addiction to Activity

You may say, “I am allowed to do anything.” But I reply, “Not everything is good for you.” And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything. 
—1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)

What is all the commotion about? It seems that everyone is rushing about, trying to work through our to-do lists so that we can… add more items to our to-do lists. Let’s get some perspective here! We are not doing ourselves any favors by living life at supersonic speed. Today, we cram more and more activity into our lives because our culture encourages us to do so and because we can.

This addiction to activity has also infected the church. It’s wonderful that so many churches today can offer a wide variety of ministry services in order to address a wide variety of life issues. But, far too many Christ-followers cram their schedules with too many (good) things: ministry meetings, program meetings, small group Bible studies, accountability groups, recovery groups, and even meetings to plan more meetings! And, as a result life loses its balance.

Remember, just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should! Busyness for busyness sake—even when the busyness is ministry oriented—is counterproductive at best, and simply sinful at worst.

When I look at Jesus’ life, I see a man who was not ruled by His schedule. He seldom seemed rushed. For instance, I love that while He pursued plans, He would welcome interruptions from people in need. From what we know, Jesus never said anything like this to anyone, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I need to be in Jericho by sundown.”

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to cut back on our pace of activities and actually live more like Jesus? Wouldn’t it be helpful to become more of the salt and light that Jesus called us to be in our neighborhoods and communities and spent less time in activities and meetings just talking about it?

Today, give some thought to the pace of your life. If necessary, begin the process of weeding out activities from your life that may be good, but actually prevent you from living a balanced life.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What good activities are you involved in that could actually be (or become) obstacles to your spiritual health and effectiveness in serving Christ?

2. Are you simply too busy? If so, what steps can you take this week to get your schedule under control?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 7:11-17; 10:38-42; Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 46:10

From http://www.homeword.com/addiction-activity-dd-a-1946-t-18_29.html

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Allow Faith to Dispel Fear

There are few people who do not harbor fear in one form of another. It is a strange fact that many people cannot explain the fear that haunts them but it is nevertheless a burning presence in their lives.

There is only one sure cure for a life that is dominated by fear, and that is living faith in Jesus Christ. Fear and faith cannot co-exist in the same life. Faith nurtures faith and fear nurtures fear. Place your trust in God.

At first, in the little things in your life, His love and wisdom will be revealed and confirmed, and in time, the bigger things in your life will be under His control too.

He said to His disciples "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Grace for each Moment
Feb 26th

I think fear is the number one reason that addicts hold onto the old way of life. Questions rattling around in one's head:: What is I just can't give it up? What is someone finds out I go to AA? Will my wife leave me if I reveal to her my addiction to pornography? It takes courage to finally take a stand and say "Enough insanity!" and to let it all go. But fear leaves our hands grasping that bottle or joint or whatever your addiction.  But FAITH will release it. You don't have to have all the answers.  But by faith He, our Jesus Christ, will begin to lead your life out of that pit. But ONLY if you let him.

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