Jarvis Wright on addictions

Addictions are real. And, I will say this; Jarvis Wright believes that people can be born with predispositions toward addictions. And, I believe that because we are born a product of the fall. If you have a bible and I hope that you do, see Genesis 3 for more on “the fall”. We can be born with a number of ailments and desires that are a part of our physical makeup that aide us in our rebellion and hatred for God. To see proof that we hate God (that is -- our flesh hates him), see Romans 1:28-30.

So, now that you know where I stand on that, I think it is also necessary that I say addictions should not be taken lightly. In light of first paragraph, we have to trust God to help us in a our time of need to overcome additions so that we don’t just live with them tolerating them and giving into them. Here are two verses that help us to know that he will… 1) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability and 2) My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So, he’ll either give us the strength and a way out of the temptation or he himself by his grace will bring us through the temptation -- that is to give into our predispositioned addictions.

Now, here’s what I wrote all of this to say. I’m addicted to peanut M&M’s I eat about three handfuls a day. I can’t fight them. They’re like kryptonite. My knees buckle and I get short of breath if they're around and I'm not eating them. I go into withdrawals if I don’t have them. I'm talking about shaking and sweating and quivering for something that's the size of an almond. And who could forget how they melt in your mouth, not in your hand.

Mucho amor mis amigos

Falling and Laughing

Okay, so we’ve all done it. We’ve seen someone stumble and either fall or almost fall. And, without fail there’s someone that finds that funny. I will raise my hand because I am one of them. I don’t know why, but watching somebody who is clumsy almost fall is an entertaining part of life. And now that I’ve lured you into reading this post by talking about that I’m going to drop in one of my favorite scriptures about stumbling…

Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:1-3

I love this scripture. It is funny to me because I imagine myself literally being close to falling because I am not watching the path that God has me on. I am overtaken with watching how good it appears that the ‘evildoers’ have it. They have no regard for doing good or being good. They have no regard for life beyond this life because the target is enjoying their best life now. In the words of Ray Charles, “Let the good times roll.” They’re not facing any of the problems that I’m facing (seemingly). They have all that a person could want out of life, the quintessential American dream even. The writer of that Psalm goes on to say just that. But, in the end he realizes that as long as God is in control of the universe, it is he, not us or the wicked that will have the last laugh.

The Psalmist wraps it up in this way.

For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:27-28

In the end, it’s all about this. We have one life to live here and “then the judgment” as the writer of Hebrews puts it. So, it’s important that every person that follows Christ view life through a lens of eternity. That’s all that really matters. I had a friend tell me today that it seems that all of my facebook statuses bend toward drawing people to Christ. And, my response was simple. But, that’s all that really matters. What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul? I mean really now, what good is that?

Yo! Don't forget about Haiti!

Don't forget about Haiti!!

Don't forget about Haiti!!

Don't forget about Haiti!

Don't forget about Haiti!!

On January 12, 2010, the nation of Haiti suffered a devastating 7.0 earthquake about 16 miles west of the city of Port Au Prince. Haiti has been and remains the most poverty stricken nation in the western hemisphere.  The impact of the earthquake took their situation from bad to worse.   As people continue to live in tent cities with little or no sanitation, don't forget that they need us.  Do what you can to save a life and to save a soul.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  --  Galatian 6:9,10

If you can go, go.  If you can't go, give (even if that means you can't stop at McDonald's on the way home...I'm sure you could stand to miss a meal).   Give to a reputable organizations like Samaritan's Purse or Compassion International.