Louisville's NBC network channel 3 had a special segment on their news program called "Does a night of sleep mean you aren't 'Drunk at Dawn'."
Click here to read the article and watch video about this news segment. It is about the effects of 'social drinking' on an individual.
.
Friday, May 16, 2008
C.I. Scofield & Alcohol
Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, "I've often wanted to ask you a question, but I've been afraid to do so."
"What do you want to know?" asked the lawyer.
The man replied, "I've wondered why you're not a Christian."
The man hung his head, "I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!"
"You're avoiding my question," continued the believer. "Well, truthfully, I can't recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian." Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins.
"By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer," he said, "you can be forgiven. If you're willing to receive Jesus, let's pray together."
The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, "O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life."
Right there he was converted. That lawyer was C.I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.
P. Meier, Christian Child Rearing, Baker, 1977, p. 49ff.
"What do you want to know?" asked the lawyer.
The man replied, "I've wondered why you're not a Christian."
The man hung his head, "I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!"
"You're avoiding my question," continued the believer. "Well, truthfully, I can't recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian." Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins.
"By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer," he said, "you can be forgiven. If you're willing to receive Jesus, let's pray together."
The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, "O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life."
Right there he was converted. That lawyer was C.I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.
P. Meier, Christian Child Rearing, Baker, 1977, p. 49ff.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Christian Response to Alcohol (2 of 2)
Let's return to a debate that has recently been revived and much discussed: What do Christians do with alcohol?
Let's ask ourselves what the proponents of alcohol use as he basis for promoting alcohol sales in Greensburg: money. The only, and I do stress only, benefit that they claim there will be for Greensburg is money. (They may describe it in many other ways... economic development, jobs, money, etc.)
No Christian is against economic development. And all Christians believe people should have some kind of job! 2 Thessalonians 3:10
But Christians believe that a human soul is far more valuable than all the money in the world.
Therefore, if only one individual gets drunk because of this vote and dies (or causes someone else to die) it will forfeit all the monetary gain that could possible be.
Will we pursue getting rich at the cost of human life? If so, how much?
A Christian answer to the question of money or human life will always be life!
"But Jesus turned water into wine." "But the Bible does not say you cannot drink, it just says you cannot get drunk."
Ask yourself these questions about drinking alcohol:
(1) Do I have to have alcohol to survive?
(2) Is it necessary for me, my family, or my community?
(3) Does any amount of alcohol glorify God in anyway?
What concept do beer companies most often use in their promotions and advertisements? (Sex, lust, etc.) They use concepts that are opposite that of Christians!
I'm tired of hearing only about one story in the Bible that refers to wine. To have a Biblical discussion on alcohol you need to talk about all the stories and all the verses that talk about 'strong drink.'
In closing I think we need to deal with these two questions:
(1) Why do proponents of alcohol try so hard to convince everyone they are "Christian"?
(2) Why has no pastor or local church publicly in favor of selling alcohol in Green County?
Maybe the Christian response to the sale of alcohol is to vote NO to the sale of alcohol!
Let's ask ourselves what the proponents of alcohol use as he basis for promoting alcohol sales in Greensburg: money. The only, and I do stress only, benefit that they claim there will be for Greensburg is money. (They may describe it in many other ways... economic development, jobs, money, etc.)
No Christian is against economic development. And all Christians believe people should have some kind of job! 2 Thessalonians 3:10
But Christians believe that a human soul is far more valuable than all the money in the world.
Therefore, if only one individual gets drunk because of this vote and dies (or causes someone else to die) it will forfeit all the monetary gain that could possible be.
Will we pursue getting rich at the cost of human life? If so, how much?
A Christian answer to the question of money or human life will always be life!
"But Jesus turned water into wine." "But the Bible does not say you cannot drink, it just says you cannot get drunk."
Ask yourself these questions about drinking alcohol:
(1) Do I have to have alcohol to survive?
(2) Is it necessary for me, my family, or my community?
(3) Does any amount of alcohol glorify God in anyway?
What concept do beer companies most often use in their promotions and advertisements? (Sex, lust, etc.) They use concepts that are opposite that of Christians!
I'm tired of hearing only about one story in the Bible that refers to wine. To have a Biblical discussion on alcohol you need to talk about all the stories and all the verses that talk about 'strong drink.'
In closing I think we need to deal with these two questions:
(1) Why do proponents of alcohol try so hard to convince everyone they are "Christian"?
(2) Why has no pastor or local church publicly in favor of selling alcohol in Green County?
Maybe the Christian response to the sale of alcohol is to vote NO to the sale of alcohol!
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Christian Response to Alcohol (1 of 2)
How should a Christian respond to the issue we are now presented with in our community? How would a Christian vote?
First, let's look at some of the official statements from some of the denominations that have churches in our community...
Southern Baptist Association passed a resolution in June of 2006 that you can read by clicking here. They promote "total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages..."
Church of the Nazarene states in it's manual, in part: "In light of the Holy Scriptures and human experience concerning the ruinous consequences of the use of alcohol as a beverage, and in light of the findings of medical science regarding the detrimental effect of alcohol to the body and mind, as a community of faith committed to the pursuit of a holy life, our position and practice is abstinence rather than moderation. Holy Scripture teaches that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. With loving regard for ourselves and others, we call our people to total abstinence from all intoxicants. Furthermore, our Christian social responsibility calls us to use any legitimate and legal means to minimize the availability of beverage alcohol to others. The widespread incidence of alcohol abuse in our world demands that we embody a position that stands as a witness to others." The rest of the manual can be found in pdf format at the following link.
United Methodist Church statement on Alcohol and Other Drugs can be read by clicking here. It says in part: "We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and redeeming love for persons."
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) statement on the use of alcohol is weaker than other denominations. You can read the entire statement by clicking here. It says in part: "The General Assembly encourages and supports a personal decision to abstain from alcohol." (Note that they do not require it of those who unite with them in membership.)
The Roman Catholic church even warns a number of times in the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church about the abuse of alcohol! You can read here, where it says: "2290- The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air."
Many local churches have passed resolutions of their own in opposition to the sale of alcohol in our community.
If anyone has any links to find the stance of the Separate Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Christian Church, other denominations in Green County that might be omitted, or any of the 'non-denominational' churches of Green County be sure to post them.
Important Note: No church or pastor in Green County has supported the sale of alcohol in our community.
First, let's look at some of the official statements from some of the denominations that have churches in our community...
Southern Baptist Association passed a resolution in June of 2006 that you can read by clicking here. They promote "total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages..."
Church of the Nazarene states in it's manual, in part: "In light of the Holy Scriptures and human experience concerning the ruinous consequences of the use of alcohol as a beverage, and in light of the findings of medical science regarding the detrimental effect of alcohol to the body and mind, as a community of faith committed to the pursuit of a holy life, our position and practice is abstinence rather than moderation. Holy Scripture teaches that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. With loving regard for ourselves and others, we call our people to total abstinence from all intoxicants. Furthermore, our Christian social responsibility calls us to use any legitimate and legal means to minimize the availability of beverage alcohol to others. The widespread incidence of alcohol abuse in our world demands that we embody a position that stands as a witness to others." The rest of the manual can be found in pdf format at the following link.
United Methodist Church statement on Alcohol and Other Drugs can be read by clicking here. It says in part: "We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and redeeming love for persons."
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) statement on the use of alcohol is weaker than other denominations. You can read the entire statement by clicking here. It says in part: "The General Assembly encourages and supports a personal decision to abstain from alcohol." (Note that they do not require it of those who unite with them in membership.)
The Roman Catholic church even warns a number of times in the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church about the abuse of alcohol! You can read here, where it says: "2290- The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air."
Many local churches have passed resolutions of their own in opposition to the sale of alcohol in our community.
If anyone has any links to find the stance of the Separate Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Christian Church, other denominations in Green County that might be omitted, or any of the 'non-denominational' churches of Green County be sure to post them.
Important Note: No church or pastor in Green County has supported the sale of alcohol in our community.
Alcohol and Our Youth
Why do teens drink?
66% cited stress and boredom, 25% said they drink to get high, and 31 percent said they drink alone.
In 1989 3000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 died in alcohol-related auto accidents.
The favored drink among teenagers is wine coolers, but many choose beer because it is cheaper and easier to get. Students annually consume 35 percent of all wine coolers sold in the U.S. or 31 million gallons. They also consume 1.1 billion cans of beer, or 102 million gallons.
from:
Spokesman Review, December 30, 1991, p. B1.
66% cited stress and boredom, 25% said they drink to get high, and 31 percent said they drink alone.
In 1989 3000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 died in alcohol-related auto accidents.
The favored drink among teenagers is wine coolers, but many choose beer because it is cheaper and easier to get. Students annually consume 35 percent of all wine coolers sold in the U.S. or 31 million gallons. They also consume 1.1 billion cans of beer, or 102 million gallons.
from:
Spokesman Review, December 30, 1991, p. B1.
Dear Ann Landers...
A member of Alcoholics Anonymous once sent columnist Ann Landers the following:
We drank for happiness and became unhappy.
We drank for joy and became miserable.
We drank for sociability and became argumentative.
We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious.
We drank for friendship and made enemies.
We drank for sleep and awakened without rest.
We drank for strength and felt weak.
We drank "medicinally" and acquired health problems.
We drank for relaxation and got the shakes.
We drank for bravery and became afraid.
We drank for confidence and became doubtful.
We drank to make conversation easier and slurred our speech.
We drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling like hell.
We drank to forget and were forever haunted.
We drank for freedom and became slaves.
We drank to erase problems and saw them multiply.
We drank to cope with life and invited death.
We drank for happiness and became unhappy.
We drank for joy and became miserable.
We drank for sociability and became argumentative.
We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious.
We drank for friendship and made enemies.
We drank for sleep and awakened without rest.
We drank for strength and felt weak.
We drank "medicinally" and acquired health problems.
We drank for relaxation and got the shakes.
We drank for bravery and became afraid.
We drank for confidence and became doubtful.
We drank to make conversation easier and slurred our speech.
We drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling like hell.
We drank to forget and were forever haunted.
We drank for freedom and became slaves.
We drank to erase problems and saw them multiply.
We drank to cope with life and invited death.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Special Community Worship Service
All the churches of Green County are invited to participate in the community worship & prayer service over the vote on May 18, 2008.
The service will be held at Greensburg Baptist Church and will begin at 6:00pm CT.
We also encourage all the churches of Green County to have a special prayer time at 11:00am CT on the Sunday morning of May 18th over the vote on alcohol.
For more information you can call Rev. Jared Henry at 932-5152
The service will be held at Greensburg Baptist Church and will begin at 6:00pm CT.
We also encourage all the churches of Green County to have a special prayer time at 11:00am CT on the Sunday morning of May 18th over the vote on alcohol.
For more information you can call Rev. Jared Henry at 932-5152
Monday, May 5, 2008
Letter to the Editor...
Make sure your voice is heard by sending a letter to the editor to our two local newspapers.
Your legal vote may have been taken away by some "under the table" politics, but you still have the right and opportunity to let your opinion be heard!
Your legal vote may have been taken away by some "under the table" politics, but you still have the right and opportunity to let your opinion be heard!
Sending Letters...
Tuesday night, May 6 everyone is invited to come and help "stuff letters" that will be going out to those in the South Precinct of Greensburg. We will be meeting at the Greensburg Church of the Nazarene at 6:00pm CT.
Friday, April 25, 2008
What is CCAA about?
Maybe we should tell what we are NOT about first...
1) We are NOT against economic development in our community. We are for businesses (small, large, industry, restaraunt, etc) coming into our community. We do not oppose the economic development of the community we are raising our families in.
2) We are NOT against the historic nature of our community. We too are proud to be a part of the rich history of our community. We embrace it and wish to promote it as others with to.
3) We are NOT against personal freedom. We value the freedoms given to us and wish to protect those freedoms. We appreciate all those who have fought for freedom over the history of this great nation.
Here is what we are about...
1) We are preserving the freedoms of all people, not just a select few. No one ever has the right to do things that will lead to the loss of innocent life. Those are not freedoms, they are morally wrong. "Personal freedom" at the cost of "corporate freedom" is not really freedom! We believe in preserving everyone's right to walk down town along the sidewalk safely, without having to worry about being hit by an intoxicated driver!
2) We are for preserving the history of our community without destroying the nature of our community. Our history has always been one of a good, family-friendly, safe place to raise a family, retire, or just enjoy life. The historical nature of many of our buildings will add to that, but alcohol sales will take away from who we are as a community. In simple terms we believe: history = good; alcohol = bad.
3) We encourage and promote economic development. However, economic development at the price of life or moral integrity is no really development... it is recession. There are a number of ways to make money, but it is not progress to make money off the despair, depression, loss of life, destroyed marriages, and other ill effects alcohol wil bring. That is a moral wrong. If you promote economic development without the guide of ethics or a moral framework then you will soon be opening brothels, bars, "adult" book stores, and be driven by money rather than some more noble things such as life and healthy marriages!
We are concerned citizens against alcohol, not because we want to stifle progress, but because we want to promote positive progress in our community!
Please, for the benefit of the whole community, vote 'No' to the sale of alcohol in Greensburg!
1) We are NOT against economic development in our community. We are for businesses (small, large, industry, restaraunt, etc) coming into our community. We do not oppose the economic development of the community we are raising our families in.
2) We are NOT against the historic nature of our community. We too are proud to be a part of the rich history of our community. We embrace it and wish to promote it as others with to.
3) We are NOT against personal freedom. We value the freedoms given to us and wish to protect those freedoms. We appreciate all those who have fought for freedom over the history of this great nation.
Here is what we are about...
1) We are preserving the freedoms of all people, not just a select few. No one ever has the right to do things that will lead to the loss of innocent life. Those are not freedoms, they are morally wrong. "Personal freedom" at the cost of "corporate freedom" is not really freedom! We believe in preserving everyone's right to walk down town along the sidewalk safely, without having to worry about being hit by an intoxicated driver!
2) We are for preserving the history of our community without destroying the nature of our community. Our history has always been one of a good, family-friendly, safe place to raise a family, retire, or just enjoy life. The historical nature of many of our buildings will add to that, but alcohol sales will take away from who we are as a community. In simple terms we believe: history = good; alcohol = bad.
3) We encourage and promote economic development. However, economic development at the price of life or moral integrity is no really development... it is recession. There are a number of ways to make money, but it is not progress to make money off the despair, depression, loss of life, destroyed marriages, and other ill effects alcohol wil bring. That is a moral wrong. If you promote economic development without the guide of ethics or a moral framework then you will soon be opening brothels, bars, "adult" book stores, and be driven by money rather than some more noble things such as life and healthy marriages!
We are concerned citizens against alcohol, not because we want to stifle progress, but because we want to promote positive progress in our community!
Please, for the benefit of the whole community, vote 'No' to the sale of alcohol in Greensburg!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Next Meeting...
The next meeting of CCAA will be on Thursday, May 1st.
The meeting will be held in the Greensburg Baptist Church (not South Greensburg Baptist). It will begin at 6:00pm CT. We will taking volunteers for various things we will be doing. Anyone who would like to assist in voter education and let your voice be heard in the South Precinct of Greensburg is invited to attend!
The meeting will be held in the Greensburg Baptist Church (not South Greensburg Baptist). It will begin at 6:00pm CT. We will taking volunteers for various things we will be doing. Anyone who would like to assist in voter education and let your voice be heard in the South Precinct of Greensburg is invited to attend!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Voter Transportation...
For all those in the South Precinct in Greensburg, CCAA will be providing transportation to those who are unable or find it difficult to get out on vote on May 20.
Contact information will be provided soon, but if you know someone in the CCAA you can contact them!
Contact information will be provided soon, but if you know someone in the CCAA you can contact them!
What Can I Do?
What can I do to prevent the sell of alcohol and the harm it will cause my home town?
There are a number of things you can do...
1) Pray
2) Talk to your friends, neighbors, family, & co-workers about the bad things alcohol will do to our community. (Deal in facts, not only opinions. A previous post indicates websites you can visit for facts and statistics on the negative effects of alcohol.)
3) Participate in what "Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol" (CCAA) is trying to do to prevent the sell of alcohol. (CCAA has organized a letter writing committee, a phone committee, and a door-to-door canvassing committee to oppose the sell of alcohol. Anyone can help out on these committees or doing "ground work" organization for getting stuff in the paper & other local media outlets.)
4) Write a letter to the editor and send to both local newspapers.
5) Get your local church (or civic organization) involved! Spend some time talking about a Christian response to alcohol from a Biblical perspective. See if your church would take up an offering.
6) Give to CCAA financially. (See a previous post on where to send monies.)
Post a comment on other ways to promote a dry and family-friendly Green County!
There are a number of things you can do...
1) Pray
2) Talk to your friends, neighbors, family, & co-workers about the bad things alcohol will do to our community. (Deal in facts, not only opinions. A previous post indicates websites you can visit for facts and statistics on the negative effects of alcohol.)
3) Participate in what "Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol" (CCAA) is trying to do to prevent the sell of alcohol. (CCAA has organized a letter writing committee, a phone committee, and a door-to-door canvassing committee to oppose the sell of alcohol. Anyone can help out on these committees or doing "ground work" organization for getting stuff in the paper & other local media outlets.)
4) Write a letter to the editor and send to both local newspapers.
5) Get your local church (or civic organization) involved! Spend some time talking about a Christian response to alcohol from a Biblical perspective. See if your church would take up an offering.
6) Give to CCAA financially. (See a previous post on where to send monies.)
Post a comment on other ways to promote a dry and family-friendly Green County!
Raising Funds to Combat Alcohol in our Community...
A private donor has offered to match the first $2500 dollars we raise to promote a family friendly dry county.
If you would like to give toward fighting alcohol in our community you can write a check out to Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol (or CCAA) and mail to:
CCAA
c/o Teddy Upchurch, Treasurer
609 Legion Park Road
Greensburg, KY 42743
All these funds will be used raise awareness in the South Precinct of Greensburg on the negative effects of selling alcohol in our community.
If you would like to give toward fighting alcohol in our community you can write a check out to Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol (or CCAA) and mail to:
CCAA
c/o Teddy Upchurch, Treasurer
609 Legion Park Road
Greensburg, KY 42743
All these funds will be used raise awareness in the South Precinct of Greensburg on the negative effects of selling alcohol in our community.
What Does Alcohol Do?
Could it boost the local economy? Doubtful!
Below are some links to websites that give a real picture of what alcohol does to a community...
Facts About Alcohol
Problems Alcohol Cause
Pictures
Alcohol Impaired Driving Statitistics
CDC Facts about Alcohol
CDC Stats on Under-Age Drinking
TAADAS Facts about Alcohol
Alcohol Free Children website
MADD
If you have other websites that relate the dangers of alcohol and/or its negative effect on families, marriages, and people in our community post a comment and let us know about it.
Below are some links to websites that give a real picture of what alcohol does to a community...
Facts About Alcohol
Problems Alcohol Cause
Pictures
Alcohol Impaired Driving Statitistics
CDC Facts about Alcohol
CDC Stats on Under-Age Drinking
TAADAS Facts about Alcohol
Alcohol Free Children website
MADD
If you have other websites that relate the dangers of alcohol and/or its negative effect on families, marriages, and people in our community post a comment and let us know about it.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Vote 'No' on May 20, 2008
Everyone in the South precinct of Greensburg will have the opportunity to vote on May 20 on the sale of alcohol in Greensburg.
Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol has been formed by a variety of people from the community who oppose the sale of alcohol for its negative effects.
Alcohol is not the 'magic pill' that will promote great economic development in Greensburg. It will however make the availability of an addictive drug more prevalent to our youth and community.
Alcohol does not save lives, it only takes them away. Alcohol does not save marriages, it only hurts them. Alcohol does not better the welfare of the children of our community, it only lessens it.
We oppose the sale of alcohol in Greensburg because we care about our community!
Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol has been formed by a variety of people from the community who oppose the sale of alcohol for its negative effects.
Alcohol is not the 'magic pill' that will promote great economic development in Greensburg. It will however make the availability of an addictive drug more prevalent to our youth and community.
Alcohol does not save lives, it only takes them away. Alcohol does not save marriages, it only hurts them. Alcohol does not better the welfare of the children of our community, it only lessens it.
We oppose the sale of alcohol in Greensburg because we care about our community!
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