Friday, December 14, 2012



Today's Scripture
"And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word; Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless." - Mark 4:18-19 AMP
Thoughts for Today
"You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Anytime our relationship with God is strained or sidetracked, this commandment is broken.

We have discussed the distraction of sin, but sometimes behavior that may seem good in itself can become a distraction from our personal relationship with God and what he has called us to do. Hobbies are good . . . but they can distract us. Doing well in school or our career is a good thing . . . unless it distracts us from more important things. Friends and relationships can be good . . . until they draw us away from what God wants us to focus on.

And then there is serving God. Are we listening to his voice, doing what he wants us to do when he wants us to do it? Or are we rushing ahead on our own, or getting fully involved in a ministry that seems good, but maybe isn't what God is calling us to. And full-time ministry can be a great distraction. Ministers can get so caught up in putting out fires, making their church better, planning programs . . . that they don't have time for God. The words of Jesus in today's scripture make it clear that distractions can make our lives fruitless.
Consider this …
Where are your priorities? Are you putting your personal relationship with Christ first? Are you spending as much energy in pursuing him as you are pursuing success or other relationships?

Getting sidetracked from God and his plan for us can prevent us from being all he has called us to be and doing what he has called us to do. And it can be exhausting.

Think about it. Do you need a priority adjustment?
Prayer
Father, I've been so busy I've been distracted from my relationship with you.  I know you have a good plan for me. Help me get back on track. Above all, help me to know you better. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems. 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.
 
 
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.
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FIND NA MEETINGS IN PA

Greater Philadelphia Region of Narcotics Anonymous
                                                                      God, Self, Society and Service!
Narcotics Anonymous offers only one promise... Freedom from active addiction.

                              NA Logo OldWelcome to Narcotics Anonymous N.A.is a nonprofit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our program is a set of principles witten so simply that we can follow them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is that they work.
                                            
                                            
...People have all sorts of reasons for attending NA meetings, but the reason for each meeting is to give NA members a place to share recovery with other addicts. If you are not an addict, look for an open meeting, which welcomes nonaddicts. If you're an addict or think you might have a drug problem, we suggest a meeting every day for at least ninety days to get to know NA members and our program..."
              
Areas, we need your support NOW!
                      
                                


                

World Convention comes to Philadelphia in 2013World Convention Flyer For the first time, the World Convention of Narcotics Anonymous will be holding this amazing recovery event in the Greater Philadelphia Region. In 2013, the WCNA will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Hope to see you there!

The World Convention of Narcotics Anonymous post convention information as soon as it becomes available, but if you wish to be notified of WCNA information via email, please subscribe. We have convention merchandise for sale. Click this link WCNA Merchandise for sale!

Get ready to get in service. The WCNA will need Greater Philadelphia Region Areas and members to get in service. Stand toned for volunteers information

Regional Service Office
7215A Rising Sun Avenue, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19111
Phone: (215)745-9494 Fax: (215)745-9495 e-mail: rso@naworks.org
For website issues: webmaster@naworks.org

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FIND AA MEETINGS IN PA.

Our Primary Purpose

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Intergroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous welcomes you to its official web site.  SEPIA covers the Southeastern Pennsylvania area, including the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.  Our primary purpose is to carry the message of recovery to the alcoholic who still suffers.  If you want to drink, that's your business; if you want to stop, it's ours.  We can help!  Please call 215-923-7900.
The S.E.P.I.A. Office Hours:   Monday thru Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
ATTENTION TO GROUPS IN THE FIVE COUNTY AREA:  Please let the office know if your group is hosting an alkathon as we get many calls during this time and have little information about them.  Please call 215-923-7900 as there are many alcoholics who would benefit from this information.
The office will be close at 3 pm on Christmas Eve Monday, December 24th and it will be closed all day on Tuesday, December 25th, 2012 and Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 so the office staff can celebrate the holidays with their families.

Literature Order Form:

For your convenience, you can view our latest Literature Order Form, by clicking here:  Printable Literature Order Form
For your convenience, our monthly newsletter, Interviews, is attached:

S.E.P.I.A. EVENTS



January 4th - the INTERGROUP NOON meeting located on Fridays at the Intergroup Office will celebrate their 13th anniversary on Friday, 1/4.  Luncheon Buffet at 11:30am; Speakers (longtimer and newcomer) at Noon.  Food donations will be gratefully accepted.

January 6th - the SHARE-A-DAY PLANNING meeting will take place from Noon until 4pm on Sunday, 1/6 at the SEPIA office, 444 N. 3rd Street, 3rd Floor, in Philadelphia.  Want to help plan topics, food, workshops?  Come on down.  Food donations of desserts and soda will be appreciated.

February 17th - the SHARE-A-DAY EVENT will take place on Sunday, 2/17th from 11am until 4pm.  Registration will start at 10am.  It will take place at the University of the Sciences, South 43rd Street in Philadelphia.  This is a joint workshop between Intergroup and Area 59.  Food donations gratefully accepted.

April 12, 13, 14 - Save these dates of SEPIA's ANNUAL ROUND UP in Cape May, NJ at the Grand Hotel of Cape May, 1045 Beach Avenue.  More information will be forthcoming.


MEETING EVENTS

BUCKS COUNTY:  

Sunday, January 27th - Last Sunday of the Month Breakfast Meeting - 8:45am to 11am at the Brookside Manor, 50 Bustletone Pike, Feasterville behind Somerton Springs Swim Club, County Line and Bustleton Roads - $13 (No tickets sold at the door).  Call for tickets to Steve 215-284-4546 or Barbara 267-496-0512 and held every last Sunday of the month (2/24/13, 33131 and 42813).

CHESTER COUNTY: 

DELAWARE COUNTY:    

December 24th - the FIRST THINGS FIRST group will host the MEDIA ALKATHON from December 24th at 6pm until December 25th at 6pm at the Media Youth House, 2 Youth Lane, in Media (19063)

December 31st - CHESTER PROSPECT will host an alkathon from 6pm 12/31 until 6pm 1/1/13.  Food, fun, fellowship.  Donations accepted. Their adress is:  34 S. MacDade Boulevard in Glenolden 19036.

Saturday, January 26 - COMBINED WORKSHOP hosted by Districts 32, 54 and 55 - spiritual principles for World Service - 1 to 5 pm at the Princeton Presbyterian Church 933 Baltimore Pike, Springfield - food, fun, fellowship - food donations gratefully accepted.


 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

Happy New Year 2013 -  The 309 UNITY CLUBHOUSE, 445 Bethlehem Pike (Rt. 309) in Colmar will bring in a sober New Year with a Dance from 9pm to 1am. There is a $5 donation for the dance. There will also be marathon meetings.  For more information, check out www.309unityclubhouse.com .
Happy New Year 2013 - the GLENSIDE CENTER, 276 N. Keswick Avenue in Glenside (19038) will have a sober New Year's Dance from 9pm to 1am (donation $5 at the door).  For more info, call Captain Bill (215) 659-3217.
Friday, January 18, 2013 - FRIDAY NIGHT BIG BOOK group will celebrate their 33rd anniversary at the All Saints Church, 1325 Montgomery Avenue, (at Gypsy Lane) from 8 to 9:30 pm.  Guest Speaker, fantastic food, fellowship.
Tuesday, January 22nd—the FIND HOPE group of AA will celebrate their anniversary on Tuesday, 1/22 at Church of Christ, 590 W. Valley Forge Road in King of Prussia. Eat: 6:30pm; Meet: 7:30pm. Food donations gratefully accepted.
PHILADELPHIA:
NOTE: Effective immediately, the Philly Zone meeting is now located at Local 32BJ, District 1201, 455 North 5th Street in Philadelphia (19123).  Philly reps please make a note of this change! 


December 14th - the PETS group of AA announces their 30th anniversary on 10/14 from 11am - 2pm at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 5732 Race Street, Philadelphia (19139).  AA and Al-Anon speakers.  F-F-F.  Food donations accepted.

December 19th - the ONE PARKWAY group will celebrate their 15th ANNUAL HOLIDAY GRATITUDE MEETING on Wednesday, 12/19 from 6pm to 8pm at Arch Street United Methodist Church, Broad and Arch Street in Philadelphia (19107).  Bring a newcomer!  All are welcome!

December 20th - the UNIVERSITY group located at 4021 Walnut Street in Philadelphia will celebrate their 42nd anniversary at 7pm on 12/20.  All are welcome.

December 21st - the EARLY MORNING group will host a GRATITUDE MEETING on Friday, 12/21 at 35 W. Chelten Avenue in the Germantown section of Philadelphia from 9am to 11am.  Come out and express your gratitude.

December 26th - the NORTH PHILADELPHIA group will host their GRATITUDE MEETING on Wednesday, 12/26 at 7pm at East Bethel Baptist Church, 1333 West Erie Avenue (enter on Park Avenue). 

Monday, December 31st thru to Tuesday. January 1st - there will be a NEW YEARS 2013 12-HOUR ALKATHON at Falls Presbyterian Church, Midvale Avenue and 3800 Vaux Street in East Falls (19129) (between Henry and Ridge Avenues).  Food-fun-fellowship! Food donations gratefully accepted.  Have questions?  Call James C (215) 280-9189 or Allison O. (267) 977-8258.

AREA 59 EVENTS

  
December 15th - There will be a GRAPEVINE WORKSHOP held at the SEPIA office, 444 N. 3rd Street, 3rd Floor, in Philadelphia on Saturday, 12/15 from Noon to 4pm.  All are welcome.  Any questions, call Michael W, 215-917-9629.

 

OTHER EVENTS


January 18-20, 2013 - The Annapolis Area Intergroup will host their 2ND ANNUAL CONVENTION at the Double Tree Hilton at 210 Holiday Court in Annapolis.  $25 registration now or $30 after 11/30/2012.  Visit: www.annapolisareaintergroup.org.

February 14-17, 2013 - The women of Northern Nevada and the Sierra Nevada look forward to having you join them in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, for the 49th International Women’s Conference in Reno, Nevada, “The Biggest Little City”, .  Register online at www.internationalwomensconference.org.

September 5th - 8th - the SENIORS IN SOBRIETY EIGHTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE in San Diego, CA.  For more information, call (888) 231-4352 or email: sisconference@gmail.com.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
SEPIA is always in need of volunteers to help carry the message of recovery. You simply have to show up. Most committees do not have a length of sobriety requirement. There are several ways to get involved.
  1. Volunteer at the SEPIA office. We ask one year of continuous sobriety to answer phones at the office. If you have less than a year, there are plenty of things you can do to help. For instance, we can always use help putting our newsletter, Interviews, together toward the end of each month.
  2. Get involved with one of our 12 Step Committees (Click Here). These committees meet at the SEPIA office, 444 N. 3rd Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on the following nights:


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Recovery Connections: CLEARING A CRIMINAL RECORD IN PA

Recovery Connections: CLEARING A CRIMINAL RECORD IN PA: Pardon A pardon relieves an individual of the consequences, generally in the nature of legal disabilities, resulting from conviction f...
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Surgery Destroys Parts of Brain’s “Pleasure Centers” in Attempt to Cure Addiction


By Join Together Staff | December 13, 2012 | 1 Comment | Filed in Addiction & Research
Brain
A controversial surgical procedure being studied in China attempts to cure addiction by destroying parts of the brain’s “pleasure centers,” Time.com reports. The research is being conducted on alcoholics and people addicted to heroin.
The procedure risks permanently damaging a person’s ability to have longings and feel joy, the article notes.
The Chinese Ministry of Health banned the procedure in 2004. Some doctors were allowed to continue to perform the operation for research purposes. In a recent study published in the journal Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, researchers called the surgery “a feasible method for alleviating psychological dependence on opiate drugs.” They note more than half of the 60 patients in the study had lasting side effects. These included memory problems and loss of motivation. After five years, 47 percent of participants were still drug free.
That compares with a 30-40 percent rate of significant recovery with conventional addiction treatment, the news outlet states. Experts feel the small increase in success rates with the surgery is not worth the large risk.
Patients are awake during the procedure, to minimize the risk of destroying parts of the brain involved in movement, consciousness or sensation. A surgeon uses heat to destroy cells in small sections of the part of the brain containing large amounts of brain chemicals called dopamine and endogenous opioids, which are involved in desire and pleasure.
Experts say they are opposed to using the procedure to treat addiction. “To lesion this region that is thought to be involved in all types of motivation and pleasure risks crippling a human being,” Dr. Charles O’Brien, head of the Center for Studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania, told Time.com.
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Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Partnership at Drugfree.org
"Knowing that every hit could kill me didn't stop me. I guess I didn't really care."

A young woman named Kimmie wrote those words. At 19, she's already been to hell and back.

Kimmie started smoking pot when she was 15. A friend got her to try meth, and soon, she was addicted. Then she got some news: "I found out I was four months pregnant, but by then I couldn't stop using." Luckily, she got a new probation officer who helped her get into treatment. She's in recovery, she's never been happier -- and she wanted us to tell you her story to prove that anyone can turn his or her life around.

The Partnership is building a massive online community called The Hope Share to help those struggling with addiction see the possibility of recovery. Can you donate $10 now to help us give hope to people across the country?


The last part of Kimmie's story was so moving that I had to share it with you. Here's what she said:
Getting sober was the best thing for me and my son. If I didn't choose a better life, I could have had a miscarriage, my son could have come out unhealthy, or CPS could have taken him from me. My life is so much better now, and my son is one happy, healthy, handsome little guy.
I had the privilege of reading Kimmie's story because she shared it as part The Hope Share. It's a nationwide story-sharing project -- an online space for anyone touched by substance abuse to tell his or her story and let others know they're not alone. One person's story can change someone else's life.

As a non-profit organization, we can't operate if we don't have donor support. And if we can't operate, we can't run programs like The Hope Share.

Help us save lives and broadcast messages of hope. Make a $10 donation today:

http://my.drugfree.org/hope-share
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