I’m doing this for me

“I’m doing this for me” can be an act of selfishness or of self-control.

I can think of countless situations where people have used “for me” as the preamble to the explanation of their next selfish act. I’m breaking my marriage vows. I’m leaving my family. I’m buying this thing. We’re moving. I’m getting an abortion. It’s for me and I really don’t care that it’s going to hurt you.

On the other hand, there are times we need to leave the crowd and do what’s right. I know of several families where church attendance is sporadic or non-existent because one of the partners doesn’t want to go. Spiritual disciplines are always good no matter what your spouse or family think or do. Needed weight loss? If you don’t do it for you, it probably won’t last. Job excellence? Do it for you no matter what other employees do.

I find that I lean heavily towards selfishness and laziness. The things I do “for me”, are not always the best for all involved. Also, laziness pushes me to not do the things that are good for me. I may use the inaction of others as an excuse for my own.

Left to ourselves, I think we all slide toward the bad. What we need are good people in our lives who can help us see what our true motivations are or maybe we need a kick in the butt to get us going. Good friends can help bring out the best in us. Bad friends will help plan the next disaster.

May you be blessed with good friends.

Philip

My mouth – what goes in and what comes out

My biggest problem at this point in my life is my mouth – what goes in and what comes out. I am making some improvements on both but still have a long way to go. I will speak to the first in a later post.

As far as what comes out of my mouth, it’s very easy for me to notice the negative and to comment on it. Instead of pointing out the good people do, I usually focus on their failings. This is particularly bad for my family.

I also get involved in things where what I have to say doesn’t do any good in making a situation better. I’m learning that there are times where it is just better to be silent.

Here are some words from James 3:2-10 that talk about the problem tongue:

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
(James 3:2-10 ESV)

I so identify with these verses. It seems sometimes that my tongue will never be tamed. I am encouraged to know that it is a common enough problem that it is addressed here. Can you imagine one of the Apostles having to apologize for an inappropriate comment? I can see Peter having to do that.

I know there isn’t anything too difficult for God so I know that He will help me in this area. Later I will tell you of the changes that are happening with what is going into my mouth.

Philip

Who is Using Medical Marijuana?

Shops selling marijuana in Denver outnumber all of the Starbucks in Colorado. Politicians have liberalized state marijuana laws in the guise of helping sick people. We were led to believe that it would be the dying cancer patient or someone with a debilitating medical condition who would be using medical marijuana.

With no surprise to many, it’s young guys who represent most of the card carrying medical marijuana users. In a recent letter-to-the-editor in the Denver Post, Dr. Jeffrey Sippel points out that “Seventy percent of registered users are males between the ages of 25 and 34, not coincidentally society’s demographic with the highest substance abuse rate.” He goes on to say that “Ninety percent of cards have been issued for a diagnosis of severe chronic pain, yet no mechanism exists to document that such patients have had appropriate conventional treatment, including non-pharmacological modalities such as physical therapy.” Here is a link to his letter and another good one.

So basically we are being scammed and young people are going to suffer for it.

I took the above picture today in front on one of the pot shops in my neighborhood. I’m not surprised that the guy they have waving the sign is the demographic of their usual customer.

I hope something is done to slow down this scam before we reap the whirlwind from it.

Philip

Teen Marijuana Use Getting Higher

Is it any surprise that the “medical marijuana” scam has caused young people to view the drug as harmless? Also, many daily users are getting their supply from marijuana "patients."

An article in Saturday’s Denver Post reports the concern among drug abuse counselors with the rise. Here is a link.

A big problem with adolescent usage is the changes in the brain that happen with marijuana use. An article in USA Today cites a recent study that shows that “people who start using marijuana at a young age have more cognitive shortfalls. Also, the more marijuana a person used in adolescence, the more trouble they had with focus and attention.” Here is a link.

We are going to have to pay a high price for this in the future. Too bad the marijuana legalization advocates don’t care in their own quest for a buzz.

Philip