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Main Boards => Prayers/Concerns/Honors/Ailments => Topic started by: motormouth on May 19, 2011, 02:44:00 AM
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This was hard for me to do but i need the extra prayers. For about 5 months now, i have been struggling with an Alcohol related addiction. i have been drinking so much that i can have a 3rd of a bottle of Jameson and be slightly buzzed. also have been drinking beer like its going outta of style. i have been trying very hard to cut back and stop but now its a routine. i get off work and have a couple cold ones when i get home that lead to half an 18 pack. i had a good friend of mine actually sit me down and tell me how worried they were and how much i had changed since getting into drinkng. it hurt and shocked me but i realized he was right. started going to
AA and stuff this week but really havin a hard time. dryin up is a rough business. Please pray. It's hard for me to ask for help but i know i need to change. Thanks.
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Matthew, I'll be praying for you. God bless, Scott.
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Matt
There is a prograhm called Celebrate Recovery in your town, it is a Christ center recovery program fo anything we struggle with. This program changed my life, look it up and give it a try, I'm praying for you.
God Bless
Terry
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Matt. I have been there. I pray that you will find piece of mind thoughout your recovery process. Focus on the things you gain from not drinking, rather than the things that make you want to drink. Find a good support group, and stay with it. I wish you the best.
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Matt, its almost impossible to do alone, I know. Even if you cant afford the time and money for a long term rehab stint, sometimes just a three day in house program can get you started. Usually good info and support and it gets you out of your drinking comfort zone for a few days. Try different ones if avalible and find one that works for you. Prayers sent brother.
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Prayers from here....
This is a hard one to fight.
As said above,do not try to fight alone does not work.
27 years and every now and then wake up craving one to get the day started....
Find some help and then stick with it..
I will keep you in my prayers ..
Later....Buzz
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Sent you an email, MM. You know my heart for you, Son. Much good advice above, but I also say there is a root cause that has led you to the prior depression and now this...work on the addiction NOW...but couple that with the other issues that lurk beneath the surface that have set some of this in motion, brother.
You're too good and God gave you talent and a great heart to see you falter without a fight!
We're here for you. You know my number!
You have met the enemy and he is you. The devil never rests.
Keep the Son in your eyes!
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I have been where you are at bud. I will keep you in my thoughts.
I used alcohol as my I don't have to care about anything drug. It is hard to see what it does to you, and the people around you until someone slaps you in the face with it.
It all started out with a beer after work for me and just grew from their.
The thing you have to do is find balance.
I love having a cold one every so often. I have learned to stop at one or two now, instead of having to get messed up.
PM me anytime and we can chat about it.
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Been there and praying for you to have the joy of freedom.
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Just being honest with yourself and admitting you have a problem is half the battle. For me the greatest success came when I honestly gave this problem to Jesus Christ, and admitted to Him that I needed help, He delivered me from even the desire of alcohol, and I was a strong afterwork and weekend binger.
It has been 24 years that I have been alcohol free.
Father, we pray for our brother, to continue to seek your face and the power of your love to break every yoke and bondage of the enemy. May he find peace and joy in the freedom of deliverance, and be blessed with the newness of life in Christ Jesus, Amen.
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Been where you are spent a year in a Christian Rehab and at the end of the day the only one who can save you is you and GOD- Celebrate Recovery is an amazing program and I have friends from treatment that go to meetings just so stay on the path. You will be in my prayers...
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Prayers sent. Admitting the problem is the first step in beating it! You are on the right track. Seek help and God and you will beat this.
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Prayers from KS! Find Jesus and everything will be ok!
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January 6th, 1990 was the day that my true freedom began. Find yourself a support group and immerse yourself into it. That may involve visiting several different 12-step meetings to find the one that fits you best. Get yourself a sponsor, follow the path that is laid before you, and most of all.........PRAY........there is only one person that you need to put total faith in and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. He holds the key to your recovery and will carry you through the tough times, but you still have to do YOUR part.
It is indeed a long row to hoe.......and you never do reach the end of it. There are only two kind of "addicts", "practicing ones" and "recovering ones". If you would ever like to talk, I would be more than glad to PM you my phone number.
Winterhawk1960
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I will pray for you but you need to turn to Jesus and away from the bottle. Have faith in the Lord Jesus as your redeemer from sin and eternal death, through him all is possible. God has a plan for us all and he will never abandon us, repent today and begin your walk with the Lord and down the path that he leads you.
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realizing you have a problem, having the desire to deal with it, and reaching out for help is the first step. sent you a pm.
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Prayers sent
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
Amen.
Shoot straight, Shinken
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Without going into to much detail 8 weeks ago I lost one of my dearest friends to this same problem. He was detoxing and had a seizure. He fell and struck his head. He died 2 days later. He was 42.Now his 10 and 12 year old kids have to grow up without there father. My point is dont ever give up on yourself and never quit fighting. As long as theres breathe in your body you have the power to change this. I wish you the best
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Matt, like others here, I've been where you are, and I hope to be where Horner is someday; but right now is too soon. I was a heavy drinker and frequent drunk for longer than you've been alive, and just quit cold turkey 6 months ago. It's not impossible.
The bottom line, the trick, the secret is that there has to be something more important to you than the booze. Doesn't matter what it is. It can come along and drop into your lap out of the blue, or you can create it yourself, or it can be something that was there all along that you realize you don't ever want to lose.
It can be God, or a career, or a sport, or a friend or family, or someone you love more than anyone or anything else on the planet. It can be your health, your own sense of self worth, or remembering what it was like to be free before you got trapped and wanting to go there again, or something you want to accomplish that can't be done any way but sober. For some, it takes a tragedy of their own making, like killing or crippling some innocent in a car crash, or doing something stupid that takes away everything they have, or lands them in prison. But it doesn't have to come to that. You still have the chance to either find that something that means more to you than anything else, or to create it for yourself, or to realize you already have it, and focus on it. Whatever that is, that's your motivation, and your ticket out. That's what will take you away from the alcohol and sustain you there away from it.
A man who's been one of my best friends for 40 years did it some 30 or so years ago, and (at the time) just amazed me by it. Just up and quit. I didn't see how he did it then, but it was my proof that it can be done; and that seed laid dormant in me until the time came for me to quit; and when I found my motivation, I did it, too. So can you. And you have an advantage. It's early for you yet. I didn't say easy; I said early. You don't have to wallow as long as I did. You've already admitted things to yourself, and to others.
The first 3 days or so of quitting were the very hardest for me. Then it eased up some, but for weeks, I still had to grit my teeth. It's gotten easier now. It's become more of a habit, staying sober, and it helps immensely and boosts my pride that people respect me for it; but I know I'm not out of the woods yet. But I also know the edge of the woods is somewhere up ahead, straight down this path. All I gotta do is walk it, and it's getting easier, a little at a time. And I still have mixed feelings about it, but I expected that. Part of me doesn't like staying sober worth a damn, but another part of me is really glad I did, and wishes I had done it a lot sooner. You'll have to expect that, too, and be able to tolerate the ambiguity and not lose your track.
Some people do better with support groups for encouragement, positive feedback, and shared experience, and if that's for you, then I recommend it; but other people, no matter how helpful, can't walk your path for you. You have to realize that this is your own quest, and ultimately, only you can determine its final outcome.
In that vein, I heard a story once that has stayed with me that I'd like to share with you. I may get some details fuzzy here, but the truth still comes through:
A young Indian (not the PC term; so sue me) went to his Grandfather about a problem he was having. His Grandfather told him, "Inside each of us are two wolves fighting to the death; one is evil, and the other is good; one is selfish, and mean, and ugly, and hurts others and destroys things. The other is kind, and wise and loving, and builds things, and helps people." So the young man asked his Grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" and the Grandfather replied, "The one you feed."
Likewise, you have an addicted wolf, and a free wolf. Your fate will depend on which one you feed.
This is the best I can do for you. I hope it helps. I'm pulling for you. I know you, and I believe in you. I believe you have what it takes to win this. Keep touch.
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Matt, been in your shoes, I feel your pain! Came back from a combat zone, and started drinking, bad. It took me almost to the the point I physically hunt my wife. This problem you have can be beat! I did it, so can you! I'm available anytime. God bless.
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It starts with your relationship with Jesus Christ. Hit your knee's and confess this to him and ask him to take this away from you that you can't do this on your own. You realize that you have a problem and that's good! Now ask God to fight this battle for you . I do know that when we cry out to God he will come close to us. If you haven't received Jesus as your Lord and Savior then I suggest you talk with a preacher/minister and when your heart is ready accept what he did for all of us on the cross.
You will be amazed at what God can do through his son Jesus Christ.
I will be praying for you.
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My thoughts are with you. It will take solid determination on your part to overcome any alcohol addiction. Remember that the rewards are numerous and there is light on the other side of the tunnel. Search down deep inside and make the best of yourself. You can do it.
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May God deliver you from this addiction as you read this post and may His Grace flood you and His Love surround you. God is a supernatural God and He is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think...May He take your cravings away and replace the craving with a desire to read His word and cause you to love your life as He loves your life! He made you special and unique and with purpose...now determine within yourself to listen and obey Him and fulfill your purpose. Belief without doubting is what God honors...Matt believe that you are a Victor not a Victim...believe that you are strong cause He is strong in you...Read Galatians 2:20...that is you!
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it's hard going through life trying not to do something you can't live without. i'm at D-Day plus 5 since i have drank and to be honest, its kickin my ass. i have the shakes. my body hurts, i'm biting off people's heads. this is not me. yet i have to go through this to get better. its hard. i have gotten in touch with a local support group and it helps...a little. i dip into the word when things get really bad. i feel it can only get worse.
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Please don't take this the "wrong way", but for me........I need to remind myself of the exact feelings that you are going through right now. I don't want to EVER feel that way again, knowing that "something" has had that much control over me, keeps me straight and sober. As you said, "This isn't you".......it is a result of something that has had you in it's clutches and it isn't wanting to let go. For me, it was sometimes not merely a "Day at a Time", but sometimes was a "minute by minute" thing, just to get through it.
I, or anyone else that told you it would be "easy" would be nothing short of a bold faced lie. It sometimes doesn't seem to be any "better", but "different".....if that makes any sense. I will keep you in my prayers. I just know that there isn't anything that could happen in my life that I could make any better by introducing any kind of "mind altering" substance into my body. It's that FIRST one that will get you, as you will be back to square one.
I can promise you this.......it will get "easier" with time. Just hang in there, even if it's only one minute at a time.
Winterhawk1960
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Matt,
We hurt with you! We're here if/when you need to reach out. You know my number! It's in the email.
Bottom line is that nobody did this to ya, bud but you. Only YOU (and God/Jesus) can get you out of this.
We're never taller then when on our knees. May you, like many of us here for many different reasons, find that "peace that passes all understanding" when we truly surrender to Him!
With Christ, all things are possible. Still isn't some cake walk like Don said above, but it is "do-able". God only gives you enough strength and enough peace when asked to make sure you can get thru...but he leaves enough of the hell you're experiencing in place so that you NEVER get cocky enough to think YOU did it!
No! You can't/won't "do it" (kick the alcohol) on your own. We're all too weak and sin-filled to manage it on our own.
You'll be fine. You danced with the devil and he doesn't like to let go...
Can't tell you how many dozens (hundreds?) of times I hit a wall about some emotional or physical issue in life and then, when I'd exhausted myself trying to use my own intellect or guts to fix it, or done harm by word or deed to others, I finally realized I'd "met the enemy and it was ME!"...and then hit my knees.
At 63, I'm amazed that God will still love me and still help me everytime I ask... and walks with me till I get cocky and think I'm doing it on my own now... :)Then there is that inevitable back slide till I go 'oh, ok..."
Journal the hell you're going thru so like Winterhawk said, you can go back whenever tempted and read what each moment of hell was like walking away from this mess you're in.
You can do this. You're one of the brightest, most talented kids I've known! Keep that "support group" close...nothing works fast and what makes you feel good quickly costs you immensely in the long run!
Keep the Son in your eyes, Matt!
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Congratulations on 5 days! It's a rough ride, but hang on. Keep your focus. It WILL get better.
Something Winterhawk wrote hit a chord with me.* I used support groups from time to time when I was still struggling with it, liked some more than others. My favorite was Rational Recovery. I didn't care for AA because they told me I was "powerless against alcohol".
Bull. Even when I was drinking, I knew that was crap.
The bottle never held a gun to my head and made me drink it. I always reached for it myself, voluntarily. The choice was always mine to pick it up, and the choice was always mine to lay it down. That simple. I just needed a reason that was bigger than my desire to drink, something that meant more to me than the alcohol. If you have that, whatever it may be for you personally, you'll succeed.
*So I didn't like AA, but as Winterhawk touched on, they do have a good tool for the harder times. I liked "one day at a time"; and you can make it "one hour at a time", or "one minute at a time", if it comes to that; and it came to that for me once or twice. I was a minute away from giving in once or twice, but remembered my reason, distracted myself with something else I had to do first, and held off for that minute; and then the next, until the minutes strung together into a bigger piece of time, and I outlasted the temptation. It's a good way to do it. Break it down into manageable units of time. Anybody can hold off for a minute, if it comes to that; and it might. And you could find that at the end of that minute, you're a little steadier, a little more in control of yourself. If not, stick it out just one more minute. That's all; only another minute.
Think you could walk across the country, from Montana to Virginia?
Don't look now, but you've already done it; or more correctly, its equivalent. You've already walked that distance in your life, and then some.
And how did you accomplish such a huge trek? YOU tell ME.
I'm proud of you for having taken the decision to stop. You feel rough. It'll pass. Once you've been sober a few days, or even if it takes a couple of weeks, your body will adjust.
You're hard on people, ill-tempered, snappish. Your friends will know why, and they'll put up with it for a little while. And if they don't know why, they should; tell 'em. Not as an excuse, but as a reason why. There's a difference. This situation doesn't give you permission to be a jerk; you still own every time you treat someone badly. But at least they'll know WHY you're sometimes acting the way you do, and they'll give you a little room; but they'll also rightly expect you to knock it off soon, once you get a little better handle on this thing.
Keep at it. You're doing good, and you're not alone. Lots of other people have kicked the jug; and if they can, you can, too. Just keep holding on. After a while, it'll get to be a habit, and won't be so hard on a continuous basis. But you'll always have to be mindful of the sneak attack of temptation to take another drink that blindsides you. When it does, roll with it, go back to basics, like it's your first day, and hang on; it WILL leave.
I've met you, talked with you, hung out with you; I've been to your homeground. I know where you've come from, and what you're made of, because we share some of it. I've got faith in you. Go do it. Refuse to be beaten.
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i just wanted to take this time to say thank you to everyone! you guys have been with me, whether in advice or in prayer, and have helped me through this. i'm far from outta the woods, and i may be on the edge of the woods my entire life, but i know god has my back! my basement in my house flooded yesterday and filled my basement with 4 inches of water. ruined the carpets and most of all, my bed. my room is in the basement as is my sitting room and tv room. i rent out the bottom of a house. 60% of my things were ruined. i feel like the guy who goes out into the ocean and gets rolled by a wave but can't get up because another one rolled ontop of that one. he can't get air. it seems like one thing after another. but the book i read says in one of its chapters that i can do all thing through christ who strengthens me. i can only pray that this time of craziness has an end soon.
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Prayers for the clouds to break and the Son to shine through.
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Matt, my personal motto is "a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback", its my motto because of how many times I seem to get knocked down...but not out! God truly does have your back and so do we with our prayers of intercession on your behalf. I have to echo what Doc Nock has on his posts...keep the SON in your eyes! I pray you remember the Joy of your salvation and realize the strength of God in you to rise above the current hurdles! I am with you in prayer.
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For many years when I was active duty Navy I drank very heavily, a case of beer was my starter and I moved to Jack Daniels. One day in 1993 I said to myself, "I DON'T NEED THIS" and I quit cold turkey. I did not have a problem quiting like I thought I would, do not know why except GOD gave me the strength. He alwasy gives us the strength, we just need to ask. I never needed a support group, but that is me, not you, if you need it use it. Whatever it takes do it. You will not regret it. Praying for you is easy, you have the hard job of just doing it.
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Dude,
Sorry to hear about the material possession being all wet...
Something I read by the guy who wrote Prayer of Jabez comes to mind from his 2nd book.
When things get toughest, it may be God showing you it's truly 100%, positively time to cry Uncle and realize you can't go it alone. YOU can't fix it!
Only YOU and Christ together can!!!
Regardless, this may be a lesson that no matter how bad it gets around you, it is NOTHING To how bad it will get if you don't stay the course.
You will concquer this and you will come out on top! Deer are "edge animals" so being on the edge of the woods is an ok place...you can see more and learn more in the quiet shade of the forest's edge always no more than a step from the son's light :)
Possessions will be replaced. Life and it's precious moments will not be replaced. Embrace and enjoy the clean smells of MT air and the look of those early summer sunsets I remember!
Clear eyes and a clear head will reward you in that nirvanic land you now call home!
Keep theSon in your eyes, brother.
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Matt! All the guys on here are pulling for you an most of all is your family. I remember in years past '60's wishing I could help reach my Dad more than anything. God answered our prayers back then an He does still each day.
The winds in our lives just bend us making the growth ring in trees stronger...My wife says people remind her of trees... You are protected by a forest.
God Bless an let Him lead your way each day!
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My 25 year old daughter is in a similar situation, however, you've acknowledged your need. My daughter has not. I pray for her every day when I'm alone and thinking of her and how much I love her. It's obvious someone cares for you enough to tell you their concerns. Work on it for yourself, but let your loved one be your motivation.
Prayers sent.
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u have my prayers, stay strong. I have a family member that is dealing with the same issues. I will pray for you both.
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Prayers sent... You can do it... just take it one day at a time...
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i heard a song by Joe Walsh yesterday called "One Day at a Time". it really spoke to me. he struggled with drinking, or as he puts it, "I got drunk once for 20 years". yet he got thru it. thanks for all the continued prayers and support. thank you all.
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Whatever it takes, Matt, to hang onto. When you're at the end of your rope, tie a prayer knot and hang on some more!
You can do this!!! I know you! You do NOT live in Bethany's shadow, Son...you live in the spotlight of the Son who loves you and the Father who made you....
...and the rest of us who love you, too, li'l bro!
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You've overcome the biggest hurdle....realizing there is a problem. With prayer and the support of family and good friends I know you'll make it through.
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Father I pray for Your deliverance for this brother. You have taken things from me I couldn't turn loose of and I know you can do the same for this brother. Free him in the name of Jesus.
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Just when you think it will get easier, you relapse. went out with some buds to a bonfire, drank a beer and i did fine. then someone i didnt know pulled out some Bushmills irish whiskey, which is my weakness and i broke. feel like a failure. i was doing so well.
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STOP!
Stop right there, Matt!
You didn't get to be a drunk in one fell swoop and you won't beat it all at one time.
Failure is when you don't get up one more time then you got knocked down! Period.
Quit feeling sorry and beating on your self, pick yourself up by your bootstraps and dust yer skinny li'l butt off and start over!
Folks, this pup and I go back a ways...gave him his nickname... and I love him too much to enable.
You will learn anew each stumble... hanging with drinkers till you're well down the road to sobriety is always going to stack the odds.
Learn from it and move on! Like they told me living in MT, "if'n you ain't been bucked off a horse, you ain't rid much!"
So you got bucked off the "wagon"... get back up and climb aboard.
As AA says, you'll always be an alcoholic...but you can be sober a long, long time!
here, take my hand and quit wallerin... happens to the best. Cowboy up, buckeroo, I got yer back!
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Oh Doc, where were you when i was grownin up :)
oh yeah i forgot, you were at Bmore. we do go back a long ways. and yes, everyone, you can thank the Great Doc Noc for my nickname. Between him and Killy, i didn't know whether id make it out of my first Bmore shoot alive :) but your right Doc, and i am thankful to have someone like you to kick my "Skinny li'l Butt".
:clapper:
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No "Greatness" here, but I love you too much, KId, to let you wallow. That is for male elk, not male children of God!
Thank you for vindicating my "rant". You already knew in your heart that you will stumble on this path to recovery. It's a fact, not a license to go screw up when you want.
You knew the risks were high when you hung with your drinking buds. Now you learned something. Change the behavior, eliminate the risks, reduce the stumbling blocks!
ONe of my personal dittys: "If you're a diabetic or an alcoholic, you will always BE a diabetic or an alcoholic! That never changes, but what changes is HOW we handle those issues. Diabetics don't often work in candy factories and alcoholics don't work as bartenders."
Let your own light shine, Matt! You have much to offer this world. Don't let a small thing like a slip into infaturation with the buzz of the brew, change God's destiny for you!
Git er done, Son! Each new day is another chance!
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Amen, Motormouth and Doc!
Killdeer :D
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Killie, Don't encourage him
:bigsmyl:
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Hey, PUP!
Killie loves you same as I do... and I don't need no encouragement!
Were you just in VA still, she and I'd hook up and come whup yer hiney together till you could not sit, let alone think about wavering from your goal! :goldtooth:
Seriously, Bud, how goes it. Shoot me a note or give a call... want to know a bout that photo thing at the bottom of your last personal email...what's that about?
You got lots to share... git to it! :)
hugs, li'l bro...keep the Son in your eyes!
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As my daughter said "God is the bestest doctor of all!" He is also the bestest sponsor and bestest friend of all. Talk to him...he is always there and listening and ready to help!
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Find other things to do, read more, Get help. I pray for you, be the man! mark