Modern Day Idols

Agree or Disagree?

We have new widgets and gadgets and instant communication and entertainment on demand, but man is faced with the (same) basic core to live for himself or live for God. 

People from our era can surely get into trouble...people in the time of Moses -their idols were clearly idols, ours are just disguised as hobbies, pastimes, and careers.

(From movie 'Right to Believe')

Addicted to ME!

Happiness, comfort, love, satisfaction... these are all things that everyone has longed for at one point in their lives or another. If someone asked if these words were negative or positive, the most likely answer would be positive, but there are times when pursuing these feelings can be wrong.

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness can quickly become twisted into the confusion of pursuing selfish desires. Really, true joy is only found in seeking God in all that we do, or pursue.

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

A Catholic priest taught me the JOY acronym, years ago now, and it is something that I always try to keep at the forefront of my memory. We need balance in our life, one of the ways to do this is to keep our priorities straight. A Christian may say that the most important things to do in life is to follow the course that Jesus set out for us in living a life full of love and compassion that is pleasing to God. We need to love others, and we need to love ourselves, for confidence, strength, and integrity. For this reason the JOY acronym seems to feed us the proper balance, by setting our priorities in a particular order.

JESUS
OTHERS
YOURSELF

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version (NIV)

It is like what Jeremy Bentham was onto when he created a discourse on the foundation of morals and legislation, he spoke about looking for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Apart from his theory those who love the lord may agree that surely the only way to do this is to live the way that God intended us to live. God wants the greatest good for the greatest number of people. He wants our lives to be enriched with the best balance.

...What if you had someone who knew the history of the world, who saw everything, knew everything, and designed everyone and everything?   –Well, luckily we do! We don't have to depend on ourselves.

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgement starts quarrels.

Proverbs 18 New International Version (NIV)

Addicted to the Bustle

Modern Times

Sometimes, in modern times we get so caught with what we are doing that we even forget why we are doing it. We get caught up with an endless stream of tasks that lack meaning. We may start with good intentions, we may even start to do something out of service to God, but then forget to include Him in the details. We become part of a well oiled machine, always doing something, and always in a rush to go absolutely no where. Some blame the haste and the bustle on status quo or being part of a big city, when really the ablity to choose is ours!

I listened to a great sermon yesterday by Pastor Dave Lombardo about bringing focus to our lives instead of cluttering our lives with things that lack meaning. He spoke about bringing our focus to God, so that He is the first thing that we think about in the morning when we wake up, and the motivation for everything we do. He made reference to this passage in Luke 10:38-42, see it below...

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Marthaopened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha got caught up in service, but she forgot that there were other important things, and how important they are. In fact, what she was doing was not the "better" choice. When we get caught up, we can be tired, stressed out, and drained. Maybe it is time for us to stop and ask, how may we live life to the fullest capacity.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full. 

Technology & Cellular Phone Addiction

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

-1 Corinthians 10:23

New International Version (NIV)

In 2012, I got an iPhone 5, and I must say, it was a $700 investment that allowed me to do so many unnecessary and necessary things with the swipe of a finger. Some of the necessary things I do are communicating with my 'boss', paying bills, and making important phone calls. Some unnessary things I do are playing games, watching telenovelas, and browsing through screens pointlessly and direction-less-ly  for something to do. I have had several conversations about the addictive quality of advanced devices like these.  In the past, I was critical of my sister for watching TV on her phone, when I didn't have one. The television and computer screen are so much bigger, to me it just did not make sense why she would watch TV or movies on her phone. Now I understand. I take my phone to the kitchen, to bed, it is on the counter when I shower, and it is one of the first things that I touch when I wake up in the morning. 

There is one big problem here a lot of the moments that could be spent with God can be sucked away, by dependence on these types of devices. I lost my addictive device twice, once on the way from the hospital after a trip to the hospital at four o'clock in the morning (I was distracted), and later when I was moving in with a relative and carrying too many bags (I was also distracted), both times I shed tears. I lost a $700 item. Both times that I lost it I prayed. God is good. He worked in the hearts of honest people, and they returned my lost item. 

Then next question, is how can I honour him with it. I have set a daily reminder to read a devotional first thing in the morning to start my day in God's word. Sometimes I do, but I confess that more often than not I sleep in. Devices and the internet can be used for good but sometimes they can become a problem. 

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.-1 Corinthians 10:31New International Version (NIV)

I would like to share three passages from article in Psychology Today; a popular website and magazine analysing issues by experts, doctors, and scholars. Note: That technology can actually affect the chemical balance in our brain. 

(We get a)“dopamine hit” caused by the constant reinforcement we get from messages, videos and social media."

"Dr. Kimberly Young a psychologist who directs the Center for Internet Addiction says that while a problematic relationship with technology or the internet can resemble that of alcohol dependence or abuse, it isn’t as black and white. “Even with drinking, it isn’t clear how much is too much. What we focus on instead is the effects and symptoms caused by a person’s relationship to the internet.” Dr. Young recommends evaluating the impact that your dependence on your phone and other devices has on your ability to be present in other areas of your life. She recommends asking yourself if you are able to control your use of technology and not allow it to control you. It is helpful to consider how your phone impacts your personal relationships, your time with your family, your efficiency at work and even your stress load. There is no easy solution for eliminating technology from our lives, or even for reducing our use. Dr. Young suggests focusing instead on developing healthy ways to incorporate technology into your life."  

We say to ourselves, “I’m just going to check my email” or look at “that one text” and then we find that we’ve spent three hours perusing Facebook.Dr. Ned Hallowell, a psychiatrist who is an expert on technology addiction, calls (this) “Screen Sucking”. 

From reading the whole article, I find that there are problematic signs that you have a problem, but four main ones are that you have:

• Lack of peace or restful periods without technology
• Inseparability with devices 
• Lack of dependability on one's own word when trying to separate oneself from a device
• Lack of self-control with devices 

There are help sections in the article, if you want to read more click here:

http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201312/are-you-addicted-your-phone-change-technology-addiction

Let our end result be what is written in Colossians...

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-Colossians 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

Is alcohol addiction possible in your life?

Alcohol is almost everywhere. Almost every major street has a bar, a restaurant with a liquor license or a liquor store. Is it a sin to take sip? Well, the simple answer is no, but the abuse of wine and strong  drink was strongly advised against.

But certain quotes say there is some benefit to wine. "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV)

Okay so this substance is somewhat okay, but dangerous at the same time.

What does the bible say about it? I looked for one of the most transparent quotes and I found it in Proverbs. 

Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV says:

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

It talks about the draw, the 'sparkle' the rich red colour. I can be enticing but painful. We will revisit this in a later post.

A New Day

I am taking a break from the series on addiction, one because I'm sick, and two because a lot of addiction happens because we want to escape from our own reality instead of changing it. Perhaps, living by this quote each day, or putting it in a place where it can be recited each day may help us take the first step towards changing the reality that we want to escape. A friend shared this with me today. I hope that it can be used for a brighter tomorrow.

"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it."
-Unknown Author... Shared by Javier

Do You Suffer with a Love Addiction?

By: Leah J.

A 'Love Addiction' is a real phenomena. I after researching it, I too consider myself a recovering 'Love Addict'. The term gained a lot of attention in 2010 when a doctor on a show called 'Celebrity Rehab' popularized the term, by diagnosing a case on TV. 

Beyond television, it is published by Psychology Today, in an article by Ann Smith, Licensed professional counsellor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Master of Science.

Here is a summary of symptoms of a 'Love Addiction' as identified by Therapist Ann Smith:

1. Expectation of finding lifelong happiness from the love of a romantic partner
2. Absence of pronounced periods of being single since reaching 18 years of age
3. Struggle to take necessary time to heal after a failed relationship, before running out to find a new 'friend' or 'rebound'
4. Has stayed in a bad relationship or repeatedly returned to an ex partner to avoid loneliness
5. Expectation that a partner will deliver the feeling of being loved or being lovable
6. Coaxes oneself to love someone who does not seem like the right person to be 'in love with' because the result of being loved back is strongly desired
7. Cares to try to make over or change a partner early in a relationship instead of walking away
8. When in a relationship there is prevalent uncertainty that the current partner is the 'Right One' or there are fantasies of former partners that may have brought more happiness
9. Has used the words 'soul mate' in reference to how love should be
10. Preoccupation with notions of love expressed in music, movies, and fiction

Therapist Ann Smith ends the article published by Psychology Today by saying, "I won't ask you to score or rate yourself. You know who you are! If you suspect you are a love addict - don't feel too badly about it. I was a member of the love addicts club for a good portion of my life as well. I too was in love with love." There is a help section in the article as well. Read More 

There is a website called AllAboutLove.org a subsidiary of AllAboutGod.org identifies different symptoms of a 'Love Addiction' and discusses it from a biblical standpoint. 

• Is unable to trust in relationships
• Has an inner rage over lack of nurturing in childhood
• Battles with depression
• Tolerates high-risk behaviour
• May have other addictive or compulsive behaviours
• Questions values and life all the time
• May have a frantic personality
• Denies problems confuses wants as needs
• Replaces ended relationships immediately

AllAboutLove.org continues: 

Corinthians 13:4-8. Here, the Bible elegantly defines love in this way: ”Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” Read More

 In the 21^st century Hollywood and all of it's movies, shows, fantasies, and dreams have made it's mark on both adults and children alike as many children are growing up, or have grown up in front of some screen or another. The countless hours spent in front of the screen has helped to shape a certain sense of understanding of love, lust, and infatuation. Do we know love by its rightful name? Do we understand love the way God intended us to understand it? If you think you know love, ask yourself this, "Do you know God?" 

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-9 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)

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