A Monthly E-Zine For Those Recovering From Addictive Behaviors

Single Victory "Watch Out" a poem by Dominique Thom

The Laughing Corner: A few short jokes… Remember, laughter is the best medicine… A merry heart doeth good like a medicine! Prov. 17:22

by Elisabeth A. Freeman

Throughout my life, when something seemed impossible, my mom or dad would often quote, "You can do anything you set your mind to. It’s mind over matter." And really, they were right, if I set my mind on something and decided I was going to do it, I accomplished what I set out to do. It’s amazing that our minds hold the keys to what we achieve in life.

Lately I’ve been watching Joyce Meyers in the mornings. Recently her message, "Where The Mind Goes, The Man Follows" really opened my eyes, as well as my heart.

She explained that if we lose site of our focus on God and get our eyes and mind on other things/people/idols, that very quickly we lose our direction and begin to fall away. It’s kind of like Peter when he was walking toward Jesus on the water. He started out fine, his eyes were where they should be, but suddenly, he looked away, his mind told him it wasn’t possible to walk on the water, and he began to sink.

Too many times our minds convince us that we’ll never make it, that we are doomed to sink. The great thing about Peter that many have seemed to forget, is that when he knew he couldn’t save himself, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Just as Jesus saved Peter from drowning in that lake, He’ll save you from whatever you’re drowning in (the sea of lust; the ocean of affairs; or even the pit of pornography).

We just have to make up our mind that we are going to give it ALL to Jesus and keep our focus on him. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

It’s just like Paul was trying to get through to the Philippians, if they think about Good things, their lives will produce good! And besides, we who are saved, have the mind of Christ—so let’s clean up our minds—remember, it’s really just mind over matter.

By Elisabeth Freeman

With caring for four children, sickly elderly parents, and John working second shift, by the time he gets home, I’m completely exhausted. But John’s often still pumped up and needs time to unwind—he’s hoping that I’ll be up so we can chat. Pillow talk…

Pillow talk has been everything from a startling phrase like, "I might be getting laid off" to "I had an easy job tonight." Most of the time, I just sigh, try to acknowledge what he said, and go right back to sleep. But lately, God has been holding me accountable. Pillow talk is important to our marriage. If John wants to talk, I should be awake and ready to listen.

Now I take a short nap in the afternoon to recharge, so every night I can be awake and fresh for our "pillow talk".

Since I’ve been waiting up for him and we’ve been talking more, our relationship is really budding. He feels important and loved, and I’m learning more about him and how to pray. Next time you’re having trouble finding time to be with one another, try pillow talk, it really working for us.

By Paul Cook

I was recently talking with a friend who had grown up in a Mafia. Though his father tried to keep it secret, my friend gradually began to realize the truth as he grew up. He noticed the clues pointing to the illegal money, the illicit affairs, the untimely deaths of associates, etc. Eventually the sordid details came to light, shortly after his father’s sudden death.

As I thought about my friend’s experience, I wondered if a different kind of Mafia had influenced my own life. I grew up in a good Christian home, sheltered from much of the world. Even so, temptations seemed to be sent into my life at the key times of vulnerability. Examples included the Playboy magazine in the grade school lavatory, the sexually curious girlfriends and the porn video stash on my ship in the Navy. These are just a few of the many examples of things that came my way without me having to look for them. I do accept full responsibility for pursuing these temptations, but I can’t help but think that these temptations were carefully orchestrated by the devil in attempt to ruin God’s plans for my life.

We know that Satan runs his kingdom much like a Mafia family. As the godfather of sin, Satan rules with violence, intimidation, and murder. His power is built on his special skill of fabrication. Jesus called him the Father of Lies in John 8:44. His lies tempt us with things we like - money, sex, power, etc.. His orchestration of tempting situations can easily bedazzle us, as he has many worldly resources to draw from. His shortcuts to the "good life" seem all too convenient and too good to be true. Even so, many people follow his lead right into destruction. They exchange the benefits of following God for the instant pleasure of sin. The reality is that each of us has been a target of this crime family at one time or another.

The Bible says that God has good plans for us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Too often people assume that God’s plans are cancelled permanently the moment they sin. Satan would like us to believe we can’t leave our life of sin. He’ll use condemnation to try to keep us from asking God for help. He’ll use lies to try to convince us that living for God is boring. Though we may have gotten off track through sin, we can return to God’s best for our lives and enjoy his blessings again. God is the God of second-chances and he can restore what the devil tried to kill, steal and destroy in our lives!

If you have lived for sin and are ready to shut the door on the devil’s Mafia, please pray this suggested prayer:

"Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against you in the following ways: _____________ (list them). I turn away from my sin and renounce it now. Please forgive me for my sin. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of his blood shed for me, I cancel every plan Satan had against me. By faith in Jesus Christ, I call all of God’s plans for me into existence now. Father, may your will be done in my life as it is in heaven. Please strengthen me to live for you exclusively. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!"

Singles Forum:

By Dominique Thom

She’s desirable

She’s wanting

She’s a heart breaker

She’s a soul wrecker.

Her longings she needs

Are her fantasies you feed.

She will seek for you

She will weep for you.

Run, turn and run

If she finds you alone

Your life will be done.

She will destroy your life

She’s another man’s wife

Your life will be over

Listen to me my brother

Her mouth filled with deceit

Her body a waiting feast

Her eyes inviting

Her lips enticing.

Watch out

She will call you out

You better watch your back

Your heart she will attack.

You might as well

have a paper heart

By the way

she pulls it apart.

Yeah she will treat you wrong

So your heart better be strong

Her longings she needs

Are her fantasies you feed.

By Kimberly Rumczikas

I was discussing a book that I am writing to a friend of mine. I described the chapter titles and a brief synopsis. When I mentioned the chapter titles Secret Compartments, I said, "This is a chapter about secret sin. I even discuss my secret sins."

Mary said, "Well, what is it? You can’t keep me hanging on like this."

I really wasn’t prepared to share my sins with her, but she pulled it out of me. I said, "I struggle with sexual fantasies." She looked at me puzzled, "So what," she said. I didn’t comment. Then she added, "That’s normal, everyone fantasizes."

I said, "But you don’t understand, I struggle with same-sex fantasies." She gave me the same look, "So what, that’s no big deal."

Would Mary’s response been different if she were talking to a man about him watching pornography, if he admitted to turning on the television to catch a glimpse of a woman?

Fantasizing about someone other than your spouse is the same as turning on the T.V. It’s just easier to rationalize. It’s kept secret, well at least until you’re ready to bring it to the light. Of course, if you confide in a carnal Christian or non-believer, there won’t be any accountability.

I’ve learned that the key to my freedom is confessing it to someone, a person I respect in the Lord. This person must listen and be compassionate, but also be able to give me right feedback. This can’t be sugar-coated. Sin is sin, regardless of anyone’s excuses.

My prayer is that each of you who have never looked at pornography would continue to abstain from it. But if you are thinking on it, that you would stop.

As the Bible states, if you even think about another women or man, you have committed adultery in your heart. I pray that all of us would repent of any adultery and turn away from it. After all, the battle is in the mind—Give the battle to the Lord and be set free today!

by Kimberly Rumczikas

Channel surfing is dangerous for anyone struggling with pornography. When I struggled, I would change channels by going through all of them. I cancelled Cinemax and Showtime, only to find that E, The Travel Channel, and MTV, show half-naked women and muscular, sexy men. I’d deceive myself into believing that it was okay, but then I’d be lying next to my husband with images of people other than my husband.

When my husband would go to bed, I’d stay up. This would give me time to watch inappropriate shows like the above mentioned.

I know that the Lord called me to speak to women. Sometimes when I lay in bed, I imagine myself preaching to thousands of women. Sometimes I fantasize about working alongside Joyce Meyer’s. Souls being saved and people getting set free gets me excited.

"I can look, I just can’t touch," a Christian co-worker said. This is what can get you in trouble, especially if you’re married.

Idle time is the Devil’s workshop. We must occupy our time in a constructive manner. Focus on something. Cause a healthy distraction in your life.

From Dr. Bill Bright
Founder and Chairman
Campus Crusade for Christ International

Dear friends:

Death holds no fear or dread for those who truly trust Christ, who
conquered death for us.

Pastor Larry Michael tells of visiting an elderly woman who had lived
through much adversity. But amazingly, she had also outlived the doctor
who had described her condition as terminal many years earlier!

The lady had a contagious confidence in the Lord. One day the pastor
began speaking with Mrs. Blackburn about death. She responded that
although she was not afraid of death, she preferred to concentrate on
the Bible's promises of Christ's return. "I'm not looking for the
undertaker," she exclaimed confidently. "I'm looking for the
Uppertaker!"

A friend told me of another story about a pastor who was told by his
doctor that he had six months to live. At that, the pastor suddenly
began praising God. The doctor asked how he could be so happy about
such bad news. The patient replied, "That's the best news I have ever
heard. Before you told me that, I never knew if I had one even more day
on this earth. Now you tell me I have six months!"

About two years ago at age 78, the doctors told me that I had a terminal
disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and that I did not have long to live. At
that instant I was peacefully ready to meet our glorious Lord and see
Him face to face. I began to get worse. But suddenly, about a year
later, God began to respond to the prayers of my friends and I started
improving, and am improving to this day. I can only praise the Lord.
However, I am still ready to go, and as Paul said, to depart and be with
the Lord is far better. Yet I shall remain until I have finished my
task which has given me to do. This last year has been the richest,
most meaningful, fruitful of my entire life.

And who knows, the Uppertaker may come and get me before the undertaker
does!

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So,
whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8, NIV).

The Laughing Corner:

Jokes brought to us by Crosswalk.com/Friends

One day a 6-year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:

TEACHER: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He doesn't exist.

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy:

LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!

A couple of redneck hunters are out in the woods when one of
them falls to the ground. He does't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head.

The other redneck starts to panic, then whips out his cell phone
and calls 911.

He frantically blurts out to the operator, "O my gawd! Help! My friend just died. He's Dead! What can I do?"

The operator, trying to calm him says, "Take it easy. I can help. Just listen to me and follow my instructions. First, lets make sure he's dead." There's a short pause, and then the operator hears a loud gun shot!!!

The redneck comes back on the line and says, "OK, now what?"

*Efficient Breakfast*

The efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution: "You
don't want to try these techniques at home."

"Why not?" asked someone from the back of the audience.

"I watched my wife's routine at breakfast for years," the expert
explained. "She made lots of trips to the refrigerator, stove, table and
cabinets, often carrying just a single item at a time. 'Hon,' I
suggested, 'Why don't you try carrying several things at once?'"

The voice from the back asked, "Did it save time?"

The expert replied, "Actually, yes. It used to take her 20 minutes to
get breakfast ready. Now I do it in seven."

*Lost Snack*

After a long, bumpy flight, our passengers were glad to finally land.

They disembarked, and the other attendants and I checked for items left
behind.

In a seat pocket, I found a bag of homemade cookies with a note saying,
"Much love, Mom."

Quickly, I gave the bag to our gate agent in hopes it would be reunited
with its owner.

A few minutes later, an announcement came over the public-address system
in the concourse: "Would the passenger who lost his cookies on Flight
502, please return to the gate?"

*Making Babies*

A second grader came home from school and said to her mother, "Mom,
guess what? We learned how to make babies today."

The mother, more that a little surprised, asked fearfully, "That's
interesting. How do you make babies?"

"It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

*Hurts to Touch*

A goober was constantly complaining about how everywhere she touched her
body, it hurt.

Her grandma told her to go and see a doctor.

Once there, the goober explained to the doctor how everywhere she
touched, it hurt.

She said, "If I touch here, it hurts, if I touch my arm, it hurts, if I
touch my foot, if I . . . "

The doctor gave her a complete physical and then delivered his findings.

Her finger was broken.

*Church Dictionary*

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

BULLETIN: 1. Parish information, read only during the homily.

CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the
congregation to lip-sync.

HYMN: A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than
that of the congregation's range.

INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

JONAH: The original "Jaws" story.

JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.

MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

MANGER:
1. Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph didn't have private
health coverage.
2. The Biblical proof that holiday travel has always been rough.

PEW: A medieval torture device still found in most Churches.

USHERS: The only people in the parish who "don't" know the seating
capacity of a pew!!

*In Need of Prayer*

A young boy called the pastor of a local "corner" church to ask the
pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the
flu.

The pastor knew the family and was aware they had been attending another
church down the road. So the pastor asked, "Shouldn't you be asking
Brother Simon down the road to come by to pray with your mom?"

The young boy replied, "Yeah, but we didn't want to take the chance that
he might catch whatever it is that Mom has."