Ramblin' Man

"Father, hear my prayer. I need the perfect words. Words that they will hear and know they're straight from you. I don't know what to say. I only know it hurts to see my only friends slowly fade away. So maybe this time I'll speak the words of life with your fire in my eyes. But that old familiar fear is tearin' at my words. What am I so afraid of? 'Cause here I go again, talkin' 'bout the rain and mullin' over things that won't live past today. And as I dance around the truth, time is not their friend. This might be my last chance to tell them that you love them...But here I go again." - Casting Crowns

So far, in my blog writing "career," I have only written a post when I had a personal life example or story to go with it. I do that because I find it has more of an impact. When someone can see that you've experienced first hand what you're talking about, they seem to be more drawn in to it, more likely to take what you say seriously. Today is not one of those days. I don't really have a particular story in mind or a personal example to share, just some personal feelings I've been dealing with lately. I have a lot weighing on my mind and heart and I just need to get it all out there because maybe, just maybe, I'm not the only one struggling with these issues.

My heart is burdened for my friends, my family, and for the people I encounter everyday while I'm going on about my normal life. I see people struggling with circumstances they feel they can't change and I see people looking for a hope to break through and rescue them. None of these issues are things unheard of, but rather they are so common that they are often forgotten or seen as less important than they really are. Divorce, affairs, lying, cheating, drinking, porn, music that erodes the soul, sexual promiscuity, and any other thing you can think of that is commonplace in the carnal life. These things are affecting people and causing them to die slow deaths. For those of you who are not saved, I am afraid for you and I feel for you because you are dealing with these things alone. For those born again, don't think that we are above such things. Don't think for one minute that we can tune out just because we have a Savior who died setting us free. We are not immune to the world and it's temptations. If anything, we have farther to fall because we often stand so high and mighty. 

I don't intend to discuss every one of those issues at length or even at all, but I would like to briefly comment on a few of them over my next few blog posts that are nearest and dearest to my heart. With each new post I'll be giving my opinions, and maybe a story or two, on a different subject from the list I gave earlier. I hope that, while reading, you'll take the time to consider whether or not I could be speaking to you directly and what you can do about it. I'll be asking myself these same questions. And remember, there is always a choice and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel; only you can decide if that light comes from a speeding train about to take you under or the light of the Son who loves you with an undying, unwavering love.

Today I'd like to talk about drinking. There is quite a big debate going on about drinking and whether or not the Bible directly or indirectly forbids it or whether its even an issue it discusses at all. I am not an expert on the subject and I don't and won't ever claim to be one. I have opinions and I am entitled to them and I hope you will take them as such and no more. To me, drinking is indulging in unnecessary temptation. It's playing with fire and hoping not to get burned. Alcohol impairs judgement which can bring about anything from embarrassing situations to deadly accidents. This year alone, 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes- one every 50 minutes (MADD.org). That's insane! By the time I'm done editing this blog, two or three people will have been killed because of the effects of alcohol. It's needless death! 

Now, I know that most people will look at this and say something like, "that's not going to be an issue for me, I'm only a social drinker or I know what my limits are." I think I hate those reasons more than any other. It somehow seems as if some believe they are above making mistakes. Like they are above having one too many in a happy social setting. I have news for you...you aren't. No one is. And, just for arguements' sake, say that you are. What about the person sitting next to you? What about the child looking up at you? Will your self-control seep into them? Can they hold their liquor like you can? In these situations, I find it's always better to remember Romans 14:13-23:

"Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."

What do you say when you are witnessing to someone and they turn you off because they know where you were last Friday night? Down at Silverado's drinking shots of Patron...socially of course. They begin to think, "Why would I want to be a Christian when you are not acting any different then me?" We should be shining examples not stumbling blocks for our brothers and sisters who may struggle more in that area than we might.

Looking at this from another angle, 1 Corinthians 16:19-20 says this: 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 

How is drinking alcohol, something known for its harmful side affects, a good way to honor God with the body He gave you? Newsflash: it's not! He bought us for a price. That price wasn't cheap...it cost Him His very life! He gave up His life to set us free and we do what in return? Sour our minds with drink? Drink that has no real benefit? I get that wine has antioxidants etc, etc...but come on. Does that one tiny benefit out weight the mass amount of harm caused by alcohol? Not even close.

There are so many other wonderful drinks in life, why do we have to have the ones that can not only quench our thirsts (temporarily) but our very lives? Personally, I would rather have a milkshake and never have to worry about what clothes (not to mention dignity) I left on the dance floor of some bar. I'd rather drink sweet tea and not have to wonder if taking one more sip would end the life of another. I'd rather sip on ice water than fill myself with something toxic that would keep me from using my body and my mind to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'd rather just not even go there...its more trouble than its worth. 


Again, I'd like to make it clear that I am not an expert on what the Bible does or doesn't say about drinking. Maybe I should be or try to be more knowledgeable in that regard. The truth of the matter is that what I do know makes me want to stay away from it. I know that it can kill people, break apart families, and destroy the mind and body. I know that I don't want to cause someone else to stumble in their walk with Christ just because I may want a drink occasionally. I refuse to even cross that bridge...I want to only do what will glorify God and edify others.

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