Living Free Every Day®

Serve One Another

Today's Scripture
"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." - 1 Peter 4:10 NLT
Thoughts for Today
God has given each of us gifts—and he wants us to use those gifts to serve one another. Galatians 5:13 admonishes us to "serve one another in love."
We each have a responsibility to develop our gifts and use them to serve others. We are to serve one another in the family of God in love … and reach out with that same loving service to those outside the church, demonstrating the love of Christ to them.
Consider this …
Sometimes we might not appreciate the gifts God has given us. We might look at someone else and think I wish I could do what they do … I wish I had that talent or organizational ability or their way with people. It is important that each of us recognizes and appreciates—and uses—the special gifts God has given us. Only then can we fully accomplish his purpose for our lives.
Some of us might just ignore a gift, letting it lie dormant. Or we may use it in other ways, but not to serve others. Let us ask him to help us develop a servant's heart.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the gifts you have given me. Help me not to neglect them or get sidetracked in the way I use them. Teach me to use them to serve others in your love. Give me a servant's heart. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

• Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships
• Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare
• Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support
• Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons
• How to pray for healing and what to expect
• Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ

Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

New Tools Identify Substance Use Treatment Needs in Criminal Justice System

By Celia Vimont | January 11, 2013 | 4 Comments | Filed in Healthcare, Mental Health & Treatment

People in prisons and jails are four times more likely to have a substance use disorder than the general public, yet services for this population are sorely lacking, according to experts at George Mason University. They have developed several screening tools designed to improve substance use treatment in the criminal justice system.

Both treatment and justice agencies would benefit from screening for criminal justice risk, as well as substance use disorders, according to Faye Taxman, PhD, of the university’s Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence! (ACE!) program in Fairfax, Virginia. “More than 30 percent of offenders could benefit from residential treatment, but less than 5 percent in prison, jail or community corrections have access to such services,” she says.

Taxman spoke recently about substance abuse treatment and the criminal justice system at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry annual meeting.

The Risk-Needs-Responsibility (RNR)  Simulation Tools developed by the ACE! team focus on both individuals as well as systems as a whole. One tool developed by Taxman and her colleagues looks at a person’s history of involvement in the system—age of first arrest, number of times a person was arrested, incarcerated, on probation and rearrested—to assess how likely it is that the person will return to the system. Taxman notes this risk assessment is clinically relevant, since it signifies the intensity and structure of services needed.

“People who score moderate to high-risk also tend to have more behavioral health problems and patterns,” Taxman says. “They tend to have more risky behaviors and more entrenched substance abuse and mental health problems.” The tool allows practitioners to recommend appropriate substance use treatment programs for individual prisoners, based on their specific needs.

The ACE! team also has recently launched an online tool for clinicians working with the criminal justice system to assess whether their substance abuse treatment program meets the need of prisoners.

“The RNR tools help clinicians evaluate their own programs, and shows them how to strengthen them,” notes Taxman. Currently, the available services for offenders in the community are often not consistent with the risks and needs of offenders, she says. The tool takes into account the level of substance use disorders and mental health needs of the population. There is a minimal cost to store data in the RNR tool, depending on the size of the organization.

The RNR model asks how restrictive the setting is (such as prison or a halfway house), how often drug testing is done, what treatment consists of, whether other issues are addressed (such as anger management, domestic violence or employment services), what the rewards and punishments are for treatment successes and failures, the level of staff training and how closely the treatment manual is followed.

Faye Taxman, PhD

Taxman says when criminal justice agencies know what the risks and needs of their populations are, they are better able to identify available programs that are appropriate for their clients. The RNR Simulation Tool has a strategic planning capability to help systems identify gaps in services based on offender needs. The tool allows users to enter the characteristics of the offender population, and estimate how many would need each level of treatment. If the user enters information about what programs are available, the tool will identify where there is adequate programming available, and where gaps exist.

“Clinicians in the substance abuse field often don’t want to talk to patients about their criminal justice involvement, as though it’s not relevant to their medical problems,” Taxman observes. “But we’ve found it’s very relevant to providing the best care for them. If substance use agencies screened for criminal risk, they could better serve the population overall and reduce risk of recidivism and relapse.”

Public Hospital ERs in New York City to Restrict Some Painkillers

By Join Together Staff | January 11, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Healthcare, Prescription Drugs & Prevention

New York City public hospitals will restrict prescriptions of some powerful painkillers in their emergency rooms, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday. The new policy is designed to cut down on prescription drug abuse.

Most patients in public hospitals will no longer be able to obtain more than three days’ worth of narcotic painkillers such as Vicodin and Percocet, and will not be able to get OxyContin, Fentanyl or methadone at all. Patients will not be able to refill prescriptions that have been lost, stolen or destroyed, The New York Times reports.

The rate of opioid painkiller-related emergency department visits nearly tripled in New York City between 2004 and 2010, according to a news release from the Mayor’s office.

“Changing practice by front line providers is key to changing the course of this epidemic,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs. “While prosecutors and the law enforcement community rightly focus on those who illegally prescribe, dispense or procure painkillers, health leaders need to focus on encouraging well-meaning doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense these medications safely and judiciously. Our work will proceed on all fronts to curtail the harms that come from painkiller misuse.”

Mayor Bloomberg said more than 250,000 New Yorkers over age 12 are abusing prescription painkillers.

Some critics of the new plan say it takes away the flexibility of doctors in the public health system to respond to the needs of poor and uninsured patients. “Here is my problem with legislative medicine,” Dr. Alex Rosenau, President-Elect of the American College of Emergency Physicians told the newspaper. “It prevents me from being a professional and using my judgment.” While some patients may fake pain to get a prescription, he said, others may have legitimate complaints of pain that require more than three days’ worth of painkillers.

Injected Opana Linked to Rare Blood-Clotting Disorder

By Join Together Staff | January 11, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Community Related & Prescription Drugs

Health officials in Tennessee are reporting cases of a rare blood-clotting disorder in people who injected the painkiller Opana ER (extended release), after crushing the pills. Fifteen cases of the disorder were linked to intravenous drug abuse, and 14 were linked specifically to Opana ER.

The disorder, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), is usually seen in about one in 100,000 people, HealthDay reports. It causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels around the body. If untreated, the disorder can be fatal. None of the Tennessee patients died. Seven were treated for sepsis, which is potentially fatal.

Opana ER is meant to be taken orally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that some people seeking euphoria-inducing effects crush the tablets to snort them or dissolve them for injection. A new formulation of the drug, designed to make it more difficult to crush or dissolve the tablets, was released in February 2012.

Dr. Leonard Paulozzi, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC, told HealthDay that snorting or injecting Opana allows the drug to enter the bloodstream more quickly. “Apparently, the amount of euphoria associated with the drug is associated with how fast the drug level rises in your bloodstream,” he said.

It is not known why the Opana ER might lead to the blood-clotting disorder, said Dr. David Kirschke, Deputy State Epidemiologist for the Tennessee Department of Health. The CDC is advising doctors who prescribe Opana, and pharmacists who fill prescriptions for it, to tell patients about the risks of the drug when it is used other than as prescribed.

In October, the Food and Drug Administration warned about the risk of developing TTP from injecting Opana ER.

PRO-ACT Family Addiction Education Program helps families address drug and alcohol addiction

Next free sessions start week of Feb. 5 at various locations in five counties



Each month PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together) hosts a free Family Addiction Education Program to help individuals and families recognize and address an addiction problem in a spouse, parent, child or other loved one. Led by trained volunteers who have been in the same situation, these information and support programs begin the first week of each month and run one evening a week for three consecutive weeks. Each session lasts two hours.



Programs are offered at several locations throughout the five-county southeast Pennsylvania region:

· Tuesdays—From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Media and Northeast Philadelphia.

· Wednesdays—From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Pottstown; from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in North Philadelphia; and from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. in West Chester.

· Thursdays—From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Northern Liberties; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bristol and Colmar



Sessions are free and confidential—first names only. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., or visit www.proact.org and click the Family Addiction Education Program link.

Choosing Substance Abuse Treatment Over Prison Could Save Billions: Study

By Join Together Staff | January 10, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Drugs, Legal & Treatment

Sending substance-abusing state prisoners to community-based treatment programs instead of prisons could reduce crime and save billions of dollars, a new study concludes. The savings would result from immediate reductions in the cost of incarceration, and by subsequent reductions in the number of crimes committed by successfully treated offenders, which leads to fewer re-arrests and re-incarcerations, according to the researchers.

Almost half of all state prisoners abuse drugs or are drug-dependent, but only 10 percent received medically based drug treatment while they are incarcerated, according to Newswise. Inmates who are untreated or not adequately treated are more likely to start using drugs when they are released from prison, and commit crimes at a higher rate than those who do not abuse drugs, the article notes.

The researchers built a simulation model of 1.14 million state prisoners, representing the 2004 U.S. state prison population. The model estimated the benefits of substance abuse treatment over individuals’ lifetimes, and calculated the crime and criminal justice costs related to policing, trial and sentencing, and incarceration.

The model tracked individuals’ substance abuse, criminal activity, employment and health care use until death or until they reached age 60, whichever came first. They estimated the costs of sending 10 percent or 40 percent of drug-abusing inmates to community-based substance abuse treatment instead of prison.

In the journal Crime & Delinquency, the researchers found that if just 10 percent of eligible offenders were treated in community-based programs instead of going to prison, the criminal justice system would save $4.8 billion, compared with current practices. If 40 percent of eligible offenders received treatment, the savings would total $12.9 billion.

Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2013: Recovery Coach Training

CCAR Recovery Coach Academy at COA.wmv Last night, Kevin & Redneck described the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy at COA to COA's Board members and Directors. This video shows high points, and also gives some valuable insights into working with recoverees.  Some of this will surprise you, some will seem like common sense. But it's all designed to work. There is still space available and until Monday, Jan. 14, the early registration rate will be in effect.  To learn more about the Recovery Coach training, view a class schedule, read testimonials from others who have taken this training and/or register, click here.  For questions about the program, please contact CityofAngelsNJ@hotmail.com. Hurry! Space is limited and once we're full, we will cannot accept additional registrants. Do You Have These Items? It's something many people don't think about, but it makes a big difference: toiletries and personal care items for recoverees entering inpatient treatment. Many treatment centers do not provide shampoo, razors, towels and wash cloths, deodorant, toothbrushes & toothpaste, feminine products and other necessary items that we take for granted. Yet recoverees and/or their families are often unable to purchase these products. Enter COA and its volunteers. Several dedicated moms have begun assembling care bags for recoverees entering treatment. In addition to hygiene and personal care products, the bags include postcards with stamps so recoverees and write to their loved ones, and journals so they can begin recording their thoughts.    Also...COA is growing! We now have a new office in the Dwier Center for recoveree and family meetings. And we could use some additional lockers or cabinets in which to store COA merchandise, files and other important items. If you would like to contribute to the care bags or have lockers or cabinets that you would be able to donate, please contact Redneck at rednecksocmm@aol.com.   Linda's Article in Women of Faith Daily On January 7, Women of Faith Daily published COA vice chairperson Linda Molnar's story about her son's passing and her work with City of Angels. WOFD is a national publication with hundreds of thousands of readers.  To read Linda's inspiring article, click here.   Tidbits   COA hosts support group meetings for both addiction sufferers and their families every day of the week at the Dwier Center (392 Church Street, Groveville, NJ). This includes 12-step meetings, a Sunday night Spirituality Meeting and the popular Sunday morning Breakfast Club family support group. To check out our online calendar, click here.     For directions to the Dwier Center, click here.      The COA website now offers an Addiction News Feed with the latest studies, reports, new and other info on addiction. It's updated in real time with top 30 articles. To read the feed, click here.  New videos are up on the COA YouTube channel. To watch, click here.      Join COA's Pinterest community! To visit the boards, click here.          Keep current on COA activites - join the COA group on Facebook!  COA news is posted first on Facebook, and this page often has photos not available elsewhere. Click here to visit.   City of Angels NJ, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides many services to addicts and their families including interventions, recovery support, Family Program, counseling services and more. All of our services are provided at no charge.

Living Free Everyday

Living Free Everyday

NAADAC Institute Education Update Don't miss these great opportunities to earn CEs, advance your professional life and enhance your practice through live seminars, independent study or online!

Nuts and Bolts of Interfacing with Managed Care Organizations for Addiction Professionals   Wednesday, January 16, 2013 3pm-4pm EST (12pm-1pm PST)  More Information & Registration The Addiction Professional’s Mini Guide to Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)   Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12pm-3pm EST (9am-12pm PST)  More Information & Registration

Become a member of NAADAC to earn free CE credit for all NAADAC webinars & online courses (over 85 CEs): www.naadac.org/join

Florida NAADAC Conference: Treating Co-Occurring Disorders Join us on January 17, 2013 for a conference in Brooksville, FL, featuring Mary Woods.  As clinicians in the field of addictions we strive to provide the best quality care possible for our clients. Understanding the issues impacting treatment of those with co-occurring disorders is essential. This workshop is a skill-based training program that will increase the ability to provide effective care to this population. More Details AAPNY Conference: Meeting the Challenge through Education of the Addiction Professional Join NAADAC and the Association for Addiction Professionals of New York (AAPNY) on March 8th and 9th, 2013 for a two-day, two-track education forum in Riverhead, NY.  Earn 6.5 continuing education credits per day.  Trainers are presenting skills based, five-hour tracks to learn evidence based skills. Clinical Supervision presented by Tom Durham, PhD Co-Occurring Disorders presented by Gerry Schmidt, MA, MAC, LPC SBIRT: Guide to Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment presented by Misti Storie, MS, NCC Relapse Prevention: Romancing the Brain in Recovery presented by Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III , SAP Download the brochure Register online

NAADAC Master Calendar Find more addiction-related conferences, public policy events, regional meetings, and workshops in your area with the NAADAC Master Calendar.

25% Off Bookstore  NAADAC has many books, training manuals and independent study courses from which to choose, all 25% off! Hurry, sale ends January 15, 2013! Click here to browse store.

Supreme Court Hears Case About Forced Blood Alcohol Test for Drunk Driving

By Join Together Staff | January 9, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Alcohol & Legal

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case Wednesday on the question of whether police must obtain a warrant before forcing suspected drunk drivers to submit to a blood alcohol test. State supreme courts are divided on whether these forced tests violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects again unreasonable searches and seizures, according to The Christian Science Monitor.

The case centers on Tyler McNeely, who was pulled over for speeding by a Missouri highway patrolman, and was taken to a hospital. About 25 minutes after McNeely was pulled over, a technician measured his blood-alcohol content at 0.154 percent, nearly twice the legal limit.

The Missouri police in the case argued they should not have to wait for approval to give a blood test, because alcohol dissipates quickly in the bloodstream. Last year, the Missouri Supreme Court rejected that argument. It ruled the blood test violated the Fourth Amendment. The court found there were no special circumstances to justify obtaining the blood test so quickly. State high courts in Iowa and Utah also have made similar rulings.

The Supreme Courts of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Oregon have all ruled in favor of warrantless blood tests, the article notes. The Obama Administration and attorneys general from 32 states are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that warrantless blood tests are not in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Love One Another   JANUARY  9 ,2013

Today's Scripture
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35 NIV
Thoughts for Today
The Scriptures offer a multitude of "one another" commands concerning relationships among believers … encourage one another, be devoted to one another, honor one another, live in harmony with one another, accept one another, instruct one another, serve one another, forgive one another … and on and on. "Love one another" is at the core of all of them.
In today's scripture, Jesus tells us to love one another as he has loved us. Of course, Jesus' love is greater than we can even imagine … but he is telling us to follow his example. Jesus loves us unconditionally. He wants us to love others unconditionally—not based on personality or looks or behavior or even our feelings. Unconditionally.
Jesus loved with his actions. He humbled himself, coming to earth as a baby and growing and living among us. Suffering the indignities and torture of the cross. His actions demonstrate the depth of his love in ways words could not begin to explain.
Consider this … 
We tend to view love as a feeling, but sometimes the action must come first. Is there someone in your family … your church … your workplace … who just rubs you the wrong way? You know you should love this person, but it would be so much easier if their attitude would change.
Jesus wants us to love unconditionally. To demonstrate love through action—even when we don't "feel" like it.
Ask him to help you see this person through his eyes. Ask him to help you love this person even if he or she doesn't "deserve" it. And then step out in faith and love through your actions. As we in the family of God demonstrate our love for each other, even as Jesus demonstrated his love for us, others will "know we are his disciples." Our love for one another can help draw them to the perfect love of Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, help me to love others in the way you love me. Help me to love unconditionally. Help me to demonstrate my love with action—even when I don't feel like it. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for demonstrating your love in such marvelous ways. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

• Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships
• Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare
• Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support
• Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons
• How to pray for healing and what to expect
• Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ

Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More
 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Commentary: Learning As We Go: Critical Assessment of Addiction Research and Practice

By Phyllis A. Gardner, PhD | January 8, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Addiction, Recovery & Treatment

A recent Join Together article, entitled “Half of Addiction Counselors Say It’s OK for Some Patients to Drink Occasionally,” drew attention to the fact that some substance abuse counselors believe moderate drinking is an option for individuals with substance use disorders. As a researcher and an advocate in our field, I reacted with mixed feelings to this news.

While I applaud new research by anyone into any area of our profession, I am also aware that not all research is created equal. Does a survey of professionals’ opinions reflect research or the content of counselor education for our professionals? Both? Neither? An approach that allows an individual to continue to drink is a risk about which many of us remain most skeptical.

For decades the belief in the United States has been that abstinence is the only real solution for such individuals. This was largely due to the influence of Alcoholics Anonymous and similar philosophies. Over the years, our profession has grown and the attention to evidence-based practice has come into clear focus. That said, we have tried to consider what seems to work in other parts of the world as well.

I have clear memories of the debate over the inclusion in our exams of harm-reduction strategies and Therapeutic Community model treatment programs. In the end, subject matter experts agreed that IC&RC exams should reflect all treatment modalities, not just our personal preferences, so the exams were infused with a broader range of treatment strategies and were weighted according to our research into what was being used the most and under what circumstances.

One place we looked for guidance was the United Kingdom, whose approach was heavily weighted toward harm reduction, seeing abstinence as a last resort. So what is harm reduction? It includes everything from “controlled” drinking to methadone maintenance programs and needle exchanges. I can make a case both for and against each of these under the right circumstances and so can most readers here, I suspect.

Interestingly, in the UK, there is currently a backlash building against methadone – with some professionals referring to it as “harm maintenance” programs. It seems that abstinence is starting to catch on as they debate the real definition of recovery and consider the vast numbers of clients who live for decades on methadone and claim “recovery.” Proponents of abstinence-based treatment in the UK commonly refer to “real” or “whole” or “true” recovery.

Another gray area concerns medication-assisted treatment. Again, there is a case to be made in either direction. If medication is involved in detox, the need is clear. If medication is involved in a transition period, it can be helpful, as well. But substituting medication for a holistic approach to the individual –that includes counseling and education– is a one-size-fits-all approach that opens the door to the exact same criticism some have directed at total abstinence for all.

In the case of medication-assisted treatment, we, as professionals, must consider the source of our education about this strategy. Many of the research and educational efforts around “MAT” are funded by the pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs. It makes sense that they want us to know about what they have developed. On the other hand, “research evaluation 101” tells us to always look at who funds a study and “follow the money” before we give too much weight to the research conclusions.

So my goal is to sound a note of caution against pushing too hard, too quickly for any new approach to treating a very fragile client population. We study. We learn. We jump the gun. Let’s be mindful of that last one.

Phyllis Abel Gardner, PhD
President of IC&RC

Study Shows Racial Disparities in Completion of Substance Abuse Treatment

By Join Together Staff | January 8, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Alcohol, Drugs, Ethnicity, Healthcare & Treatment

Black and Hispanic patients who enter publicly funded alcohol and drug treatment programs are less likely to complete treatment, compared with white patients, a new study finds. The disparities are likely related to greater unemployment rates and housing instability for black and Hispanic patients, according to the researchers.

The study found about half of all black and Hispanic patients who entered publicly funded alcohol treatment programs do not complete treatment, compared with 62 percent of white patients. Similar disparities were found for drug treatment programs, ScienceDaily reports. The researchers analyzed data from more than one million discharges from substance abuse treatment programs.

The researchers write in Health Affairs that funding for integrated services and increased Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act could help improve minorities’ access to treatment programs.

“Our findings show troubling racial disparities in the completion of alcohol and drug abuse programs, and they point specifically to socioeconomic barriers that make it difficult for minority groups to access and sustain treatment,” researcher Brendan Saloner, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, said in a news release. “For example, in both alcohol and drug treatment groups, black and Hispanic patients were more likely than white patients to be homeless. But, disparities among the groups were found to be lower in residential treatment settings, indicating that access to residential treatment could be particularly valuable for these patients.”

Living Free Every Day®   January 8 2013

Think Positive!
Today's Scripture
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." Philippians 4:8 MSG
Thoughts for Today
Negative thinking can distract us from remembering God's goodness and from building an intimate relationship with him.
We live in a culture of complaining. We look for ways to get things off our chests. Talk shows are flooded with callers eager to share their displeasure about something. Complaining may seem harmless, sometimes even therapeutic. However, it causes impatience, which reinforces negative attitudes and can lead to a self-focused life.
We all go through difficult times, but God doesn't want us to focus on the negative. He knows that chronic complaining will never help us and will ultimately harm us. Instead, God calls us to rejoice! To focus our minds on the good, the positive, the praiseworthy. To give thanks in all circumstances and to focus on his love.
Consider this …
Joseph never complained when he was betrayed by his brothers, put into slavery and unjustly imprisoned. The apostle Paul maintained a good attitude when he was beaten and imprisoned. Both men had an intimate relationship with God and wanted more than anything to please him.
The next time you start to complain … take a deep breath and refocus on Jesus.
Prayer
Father, sometimes I get sidetracked and focus on the worst—in me, in others and in my circumstances. Please forgive me and help me to refocus on the best—in me, in others, in my circumstances. And most of all, help me to focus on your love and grace and on Jesus, my Savior. In his name …
A Passionate Pursuit of God: Drawing Nearer to Him by Dr. Mike Chapman. This study teaches participant how to move into God's inner circle, how to listen for the voice of God, how to enjoy the freedom of worship, and how to embrace the mission of worship. This 45-minute format will accommodate groups with limited meeting times. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
To receive these weekday devotions, subscribe here 
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More 

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

New Mexico Jail Announces It Will Stop Treating Inmates With Methadone

By Join Together Staff | January 7, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Community Related, Drugs, Government & Treatment

New Mexico’s largest jail will no longer use methadone to treat inmates who are addicted to drugs, The New York Times reports. The jail’s warden cited cost concerns. He also questioned the program’s effectiveness.

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque has been one of the small number of jails and prisons nationwide to administer methadone to inmates with drug addictions, according to the article. Hundreds of participants have gone through the New Mexico treatment program.

The program has been costing the jail about $10,000 a month, according to Ramon Rustin, the jail’s warden. He told the newspaper he did not believe the program truly worked. He said there is little evidence it reduces inmates’ return to the corrections system once they are released.

“My concern is that the courts and other authorities think that jail has become a treatment program, that it has become the community provider,” he said. “But jail is not the answer. Methadone programs belong in the community, not here.”

Advocates for the methadone program say cutting off inmates from methadone is like taking insulin from a diabetic.

In December, Rustin was ordered to extend the program for two months until its results could be further studied.

Living Free Every Day®

Take Time to Listen
Today's Scripture
"Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God." Joshua 3:9 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Communication is a vital key to every relationship. And so it is with our relationship with Christ. Intimacy with God is not possible without communication.
When we pray, we talk to God. When we listen, God can talk to us. Unfortunately, most of us spend all our prayer time talking to him, never taking time to listen.
God speaks to us in various ways: Through the teaching of the Bible. Through Scripture "explosions." (This is when a verse literally jumps off the page and speaks to us.) He speaks through a "still, small voice" in our hearts and minds. And sometimes he speaks though other people or through circumstances—in these cases, the message will usually be a confirmation of something he has already told us.
Consider this …
How do we know when we are hearing from God, not the enemy or even our own imagination? First, God comes openly with peace, never causing fear, anxiety or guilt. Second, his message will always line up with Scripture and will build faith. And third, his message will result in more love and more power in our lives—not in confusion.
God loves you and wants to communicate with you. Learn to listen!
Prayer
Lord, teach me to hear your voice. Help me to talk less and listen more when I pray. Help me to hear clearly from you as I read the Bible. And throughout each day, help me to be more open to hearing you speak to me no matter what else I'm doing or where I am. Teach me to listen. In Jesus' name …
A Passionate Pursuit of God: Drawing Nearer to Him by Dr. Mike Chapman. This study teaches participant how to move into God's inner circle, how to listen for the voice of God, how to enjoy the freedom of worship, and how to embrace the mission of worship. This 45-minute format will accommodate groups with limited meeting times. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
To receive these weekday devotions, subscribe here
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More 

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

2012 Winter Wish Gala Raises Over $2 Million

By Cassie Goldberg | December 19, 2012 | 0 Comments | Filed in Our Blog

We ushered our 10^th annual gala into a new decade by unveiling a new name – The Winter Wish Gala – and moving the event to Gotham Hall in New York City. In attendance at the gala, which allowed us to show gratitude to those who support our important work and help us reach families in need, were more than 500 distinguished guests and friends, and over $2 million was raised for our cause.

The Winter Wish Gala was hosted by Maria Bartiromo of CNBC. Gala honorees included  JPMorgan Chase & Co. Vice Chariman James B. Lee, Jr.; National Basketball Association, represented by Commissioner David Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver; and Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP.

A special tribute was awarded to MusiCares, and the winners of the MLB Commissioner’s Play Healthy Awards were recognized by CJ Wilson, All-Star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Guns and Drugs: Different Scourges, Same Solution? | The Fix

Guns and Drugs: Different Scourges, Same Solution? | The Fix

National Addiction Awareness Memorial and Support Group: Affilated blog

National Addiction Awareness Memorial and Support Group: Affilated blog: I am also affiliated with my original blog, which was started in 1993., so please feel free to join and check that one out as we'll htt...

Rational Recovery from alcoholism addiction zero-tolerance ultimatum in the family

Rational Recovery from alcoholism addiction zero-tolerance ultimatum in the family

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

Aids Hotline	800-232-4636	www.aids.org
Adolescent Programs	800-788-2800	www.health.org
Alanon & Alateen	888-425-2666	www.al-anon-alateen.org
Alcoholics Anonymous	212-647-1680	www.aa.org
ACOA	310-534-1815	www.adultchildren.org
American Cancer Society	800-227-2345	www.cancer.org
Anti-Drug Campaign	800-729-6686	www.theantidrug.com
Child Abuse	800-422-4453	www.childhelpusa.org
Chronic Pain	800-533-3231	www.theacpa.org
Cocaine Anonymous	800-347-8998	www.ca.org
CODA	602-277-7991	www.codependents.org
Credit Counseling	800-388-2227	www.dca.org
D.A.R.E.	800-223-3273	www.dare.com
Debtors Anonymous	781-453-2743	www.debtorsanonymous.org
Depression & Bipolar Support	800-826-3632	www.ndmda.org
Domestic Violence Hotline	800-799-7233	www.ndvh.org
Families Anonymous	800-736-9805	www.familiesanonymous.org
Gambling Addiction	800-522-4700	www.ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous	213-386-8789	www.gamblersanonymous.org
Hepatitis Hotline	800-223-0179	www.hepcassoc.org
Intervention Referrals	888-421-4321
JCAHO	630-792-5000	www.jcaho.org
Marijuana Anonymous	800-766-6779	www.marijuana-anonymous.org
Mothers Against Drunk Driving	800-438-6233	www.madd.org
Mental Health Hotline	800-789-2647	www.mentalhealth.org
Narcotics Anonymous	818-773-9999	www.na.org
Naranon	800-477-6291	www.nar-anon.org
National Council on Alcoholism	800-622-2255	www.ncadd.org
National Drug & Alcohol Information	800-729-6686	www.drugabuse.gov
Nicotine Anonymous	415-750-0328	www.nicotine-anonymous.org
Overeaters Anonymous	505-891-2664	www.oa.org
Parents Anonymous	909-621-6184	www.parentsanonymous.org
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network	800-656-4673	www.rainn.org
Rational Recovery	530-621-2667	www.rational.org
Recovery Now TV	800-281-4731	www.recoverynowtv.com
Runaways	800-621-4000	www.nrscrisisline.org
Sex Addicts Anonymous	800-477-8191	www.saa-recovery.org
S-Anon (Sex Addicts Family Members)	615-833-3152	www.sanon.org
Sober Houses	866-762-3747	www.sober.com
Suicide Hotline	800-273-8255	www.suicidehotlines.org
STD Hotline	800-342-2437	www.cdc.gov
Survivors of Incest	410-282-3400	www.rainn.org
Teen Helpline	800-852-8336	www.teenlineonline.org
Treatment Locator	800-662-4357	www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
We Tip	800-782-7463	www.wetip.com
Workaholics Anonymous	510-273-9253	www.workaholics-anonymous.org

Recovery Now Episode 4

Recovery Now Episode 8

Company Hopes to Sell Marijuana in Vending Machines in Colorado, Washington

By Join Together Staff | January 4, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Community Related, Drugs, Legislation & Marketing And Media

A California-based company hopes to sell marijuana in vending machines in Colorado and Washington, which have legalized recreational use of the drug, NBC News reports.

Marijuana is already sold through vending machines in some states where medical marijuana is legal. The company, Medbox, says it wants to adapt the machines to comply with the new recreational marijuana laws in Colorado and Washington.

People using the machines to obtain medical marijuana use a fingerprint scan to verify their identity, which is linked to a prescription on file.

“One day we envision these machines to be accessed, when it’s allowed, 24 hours a day,” Vincent Mehdizadeh, who founded a subsidiary of Medbox that makes vending machines, told NBC News. “One day in the future that may happen, but for now these machines sit behind the counter as an inventory control and compliance tool.”

Growing, possessing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law.