The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Addictions - A Worship Disorder

Randy,

I was just at the Catholic bookstore telling this story about St. Michael, Holy Grail, etc., etc. to the lady who works there and a customer was overwhelmed by it all. She bought me a St. Michael neckless. :smiley:

Very good, Michael! There is also a Catholic book and religious supply store, in an adjacent city - to where I live. My favorite Catholic and Orthodox saint is St. Jude - the patron saint of “hopeless cases”. As someone trying to be faithful to both the holy Fools and Nerds traditions, St. Jude is a natural selection for me. :smiley:

If that’s what works for you Randy that’s great.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12717934_178025755910147_6935533684577508633_n.jpg?oh=d8ce2d20d0301ec2146e56af4677ccff&oe=5755EC7C

Here you go Randy,

BLOOD RED MOON UP IN THE SKY!!!

When a recovering drug addict is alone and isolated he is trapped with a dangerous person. By sharing our problems with other recovering drug addicts who can relate and help us, we move out of the problem and into the solution. A problem shared is a problem cut in half. And a problem solved is no longer a problem. - Bob Tolin

You Don’t Have to Act Crazy Anymore

By Hafez

You Don’t Have to Act Crazy Anymore –
We all know you were good at that.

Now retire, my dear,
From all that hard work you do

Of bringing pain to your sweet eyes and heart.

Look in a clear mountain mirror –
See the Beautiful Ancient Warrior
And the Divine elements
You always carry inside

That infused this Universe with sacred Life
So long ago

And join you Eternally
With all Existence – with God!

One more thing Randy,

I got this awesome book when I was at the Catholic bookstore the other day. It’s WONDERFUL. It’s on spiritual warfare and defeating evil spirits, sin, and Satan in your life. It’s not talking about battling PEOPLE but it’s a spiritual warfare.

http://www.spiritdaily.com/bklgthecathoicwarrior.jpg

:smiley:

http://41.media.tumblr.com/3b39f49b313bb9850cb046f155ead5f1/tumblr_mowvsvINlS1so22nbo1_1280.png

When we want to grow in self-control not only do we nurture an exuberance for Jesus Christ, we also demand of ourselves a hatred of sin - Ed Welch

Love the sinner hate the sin - Thomas Aquinas

I ain’t what I ought to be
And I ain’t what I want to be
And I ain’t what I’m going to be
But O Lord, I thank You
That I ain’t what I used to be

A.A. Paradoxes

God teaches by means of opposites so that we will have two wings to fly - not one. - Rumi

•from weakness (adversity) comes strength
•we forgive to be forgiven
•we give it away to keep it
•we suffer to get well
•we surrender to win
•we die to live
•from darkness comes light
•from dependence we found independence.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/12705514_178803545832368_1774194090482246836_n.jpg?oh=88f734bcdbde300c9dd6f6f37c55e834&oe=5754E427

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/734847_175840809461975_8360291841120825549_n.jpg?oh=723ecff4e2db563747df7dfda9d5c720&oe=575CBF6F

I renounce my love for power, money, and any fears holding me in bondage. Heal, O Lord, all those wounds that have been the cause of evil rooted in my life. I ask you Lord to send forth an assignment of angels to destroy every demonic influence that contributes to my sinful behaviors. Forgive me for resentment, pride, rebellion, unforgiveness, manipulation, deception, dishonesty, retaliation, lust, and idolatry. Spirit of Almighty God of the Most Holy Trinity, descend on me. Purify me, mold me, fill me with Yourself. Banish all evil forces from me; destroy them, vanquish them, so that I can be healthy and do good deeds. Banish all curses, hexes, spells, oppressions, possessions, all that is evil and sinful. I command and bid all the powers who molest me - by the power of Almighty God in the name of Christ my Savior to leave me forever and be destroyed.

When facing a temptation to use drugs I can talk to someone from N.A. or go to a meeting and have faith in God. The Bible says:

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12742671_175382809507775_822638523429205655_n.jpg?oh=10c716947b6058d0dd860109cb14cadd&oe=574BDBC0

The creative arts, poetry, and writing help people like me. It has helped me in learning to express myself better. Of course, having someone to read your writings to and discuss them with is part of the therapy. I can say that I have improved tremendously over the years in being able to express myself. According to Martine Daniel, people use forms of self-expression such as writing, painting, sculpture, poetry, and music to help with the disorder. I use it as a form of expression and meditation and time spent with God. I have also found that telling my whole life story to a trusted friend or therapist to be quite therapeutic. I did it once in Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s good “Story Therapy”. I’ve recently started working on my life story again as I am attending more meetings and meditating more. At the Catholic Universalist church I go to we are allowed to meditate and do yoga. I like the meditation described by St. John Of The Cross:

Oh God
I want to thank You for bringing me this far along the road to recovery
It is good to be able to get my feet on the floor again
It is good to be able to do at least some things for myself again
Best of all is to have the joy of feeling well again.
Oh God
Keep me grateful

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/12795279_177727182606671_5660034944970093475_n.jpg?oh=27705f4f5561dcc451c32778ac3a21fd&oe=575545CF