Someone helped ME

   When I look at myself lately, I remember this scene from the movie The Basketball Diaries and I imagine this is what I look like.  (on the inside at least)  In the scene, Jim Carroll (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is experiencing opiate withdrawal.  There are chills, cramps, and all sorts of snot and tears.  It is rather despicable.  He is "helped" through the process by his friend Reggie (played by Ernie Hudson.)  Reggie basically sits by his side and prevents him from leaving to die in his old habit. It raises two questions in me; "Where does one find a friend like Reggie?" Secondly, "How does one become a person like Reggie?"

I have never been addicted to heroin but there are plenty of aspects of “self” that have not gone to the cross easily.  Every time I begin the process that is necessary to be liberated I am quite certain this is what I look like.  And who can bear it?  The common American style “church” from what I’ve seen, doesn’t seem to be structured in such a way to endure such madness.  I haven’t much relied on the Spirit but I have relied on the flesh that I am suppose to mortify.  (Romans 8:13)  This mortifying process Paul talks about (Colossians 3:5-25), “putting off the old man” and putting on the “new man” isn’t necessarily pretty.  There are certain things that are required of us to see to it that we stick through until we come out clean.  We need to go through genuine repentance and be in true community.  There is a certain “forbearance” necessary that won’t let each other get by on a “little taste” but yet will stick by when it gets really rough and downright nasty.

This brings me to my next point.  I am currently reading the book The Game Plan: The Men's 30-Day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity.  It is not a bad book so far. (I am only on day 15)  On day nine it talks about setting up an “accountability structure”.  Obviously the principle is clear from Scripture and he makes the case well enough using the sports analogy.  However, the sample conversation ones partner should have if one fails to stay “sober” during the week, kind of pisses me off.  That part makes it seem as if I would be getting someone to hold my hand like I am a little girl. (no offense to little girls)  It sounds anything but “pushing” and “challenging”.  I have watched a lot of MMA and there is one thing I find when it comes to their training, those guys do not take it easy on each other in training.  I am sure it is true in any sports training.  The idea is to make it as painful and grueling as possible in training to be prepared for anything in the real fight, game, or whatever the case may be.  People that train well, find the actual event easy in comparison.  So if I am going to take it easy on myself and allow myself this sin or that one, the last thing I need is some mamsy pamsy dude that will also take it easy on me.  What happened to all that “pushing” and “getting in your face”, and “yelling” that he talked about earlier in the chapter, using the analogy of working out?  Confession should never become painless.  What good does it do if it is?  “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  It is painful because our brothers in the faith are going to require something of us; something that we obviously didn’t require of ourselves if we find ourselves needing to repent of a known sin again.  They are going to hold our face up to the mirror and demand we actually take a look even when we would rather refuse.  The opponents of your faith are not going to take it easy on you when they discover what a hypocrite you actually are.  If we want to live in the Spirit there is a mortification process our “body” must undergo.  The reason I submit myself to such a process is as the Apostle Paul says,

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18 (KJV)

The Game Plan by Joe Dallas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is not a bad book.

(view spoiler)[On day nine it talks about setting up an “accountability structure”. Obviously the principle is clear from Scripture and he makes the case well enough using the sports analogy. However, the sample conversation ones partner should have if one fails to stay “sober” during the week, kind of pisses me off. That part makes it seem as if I would be getting someone to hold my hand like I am a little girl. (no offense to little girls) It sounds anything but “pushing” and “challenging”. What happened to all that “pushing” and “getting in your face”, and “yelling” that he talked about earlier in the chapter, using the analogy of working out? Confession should never become painless. What good does it do if it is? (hide spoiler)]

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