May 18

Psalm 64:7
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow: suddenly shall they be wounded.

Jesus stood with a group of His followers. In the distance, a crowd appeared, pushing a naked woman along in front of them. They cast her down at the Lord's feet and said, "What should we do with this adultress?" They hoped to trap Jesus into advising sin.

 

Aware of the trap, Jesus gazed deeply into the eyes of the people. He stooped down and scribbled in the dust. Abruptly, He stood back up and said, "The one among you who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."

 

His answer struck like a bolt of lightning. Words of pure love and power exploded their conceit, and they were forced to look at the truth of God openly and honestly. The sin was not at issue. What mattered was forgiveness. The hateful crowd was shot through the heart by an arrow of God's goodness. Killed was the sin of unrighteousness, God will expose it for what it is.

 

Prayer: Turn my darkness into light, O Lord, and guide me away from things that are sinful and wrong. Teach me to love my neighbors rather than judge them. Let me cast love and peace, instead of stones. Amen.

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May 17        BY PHIL WARE

Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

God's plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work and his will in our lives.

 

Prayer:

 

Precious and Almighty Father, thank you for reawakening me each spring to the power of your sustaining presence in the world, but even more in my life. Bless me today as I seek to put you first in all I do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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Number of Babies Born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Tennessee Soars

By Join Together Staff | May 16, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Parenting, Prescription Drugs & Youth

The number of babies born to mothers addicted to opioids or anti-anxiety medication in Tennessee is soaring, according to the Associated Press. These babies suffer the effects of neonatal abstinence syndrome, such as tremors, abdominal pain, incessant crying and rapid breathing. In extreme cases, they also experience seizures.

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville treated 33 babies for drug dependence in 2008. That number is expected to jump to 320 this year, the AP notes. In most cases, mothers of the babies abused prescription drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, Valium and Xanax.

Tennessee is believed to be the first state that requires all health care facilities to report all cases of babies born dependent on drugs, officials say. They estimate almost 1,200 babies were born dependent on drugs in the state in 2010 and 2011.

Every hour, a baby is born in the United States with symptoms of opioid withdrawal, according to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found the number of pregnant women who are addicted to opioids, and the number of infants born with opioid withdrawal symptoms, has jumped in the past decade. An estimated 13,500 babies are born with withdrawal symptoms each year in the United States. Many babies who experience these symptoms must be hospitalized for weeks.

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner is a member of a group advocating for the Food and Drug Administration to add a warning on prescription drug bottles about the dangers of taking drugs during pregnancy.

Drug MXE Being Used By Students - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Drug MXE Being Used By Students - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Melanie Swanson, M.Ed., Prevention Specialist

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.

215-345-6644, ext. 3123

mswanson@councilsepa.org
Celebrating Twenty-Seven Years of Youth Prevention

Youth Leaders in Bucks County Unite to Promote Healthy Choices


DOYLESTOWN, PA.-- May 16 , 2013--More than 250 middle and high school students and their advisors from throughout Bucks County will participate in the 27th Annual Lead On! Youth Leadership Conference, Bucks County's largest youth conference for the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Bucks County Community College in Newtown. Workshops offered between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm to teens in grades 6-12 include such topics as synthetic drugs, marijuana, addiction, suicide prevention, self-esteem, bullying, relationships, communication, teamwork, Internet safety, problem gambling prevention, leadership, gang awareness and resiliency, to name a few. This event promotes peer-to-peer involvement in alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention within their communities.



Lead On! is presented by The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (The Council), which runs Student Assistance Programs in most Bucks County school districts. The keynote speaker is Lynn Hill, a world renowned rock climber, who will present "Get High on Life!" Lynn encourages students to live their lives in a way that is "of use" rather than choosing the route of "abuse." As a climber, Lynn thrives on novelty and the process of learning through intensely engaging experiences. When a person engages in certain activities or high adventure sports such as rock climbing, the brain emits the chemical dopamine which elevates mood and provides a sense of well-being. Attendees will have the privilege of viewing Lynn Hill's new film, "Climbing Free," which she will premiere at Lead On!



Participants can also expect an energizing experience during the closing act, "GET A GRIP!" a three-screen multi-media presentation by Camfel Productions. A lack of self-control can significantly alter life choices. Failing to get a grip of self-control can lower defenses, making it easy to give in to peer pressure and harder to say no to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Through popular music and real life situations, this high-energy piece will help students see the big picture for their lives-helping them understand that positive self-control leads to healthy relationships, academic success, and positive feelings about one's self and others.



The audience will also be energized and inspired by a special appearance by the dynamic Drummers With Attitude, a diverse group of student drummers and dancers from Bristol Township middle and high schools, led by advisor, Kevin Travers.



Sponsors include Bucks County Community College, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. and Jones Apparel Group. For more information about the Lead On! Youth Leadership Conference, please call 215-230-8218 or http://leadonyouthconference.org.



* * * * * * * * *



About The Council The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization serving Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County. The Council provides resources and opportunities to reduce the impact of addiction, trauma, and other related health issues for the entire community. We accomplish this through prevention, consultation, education, advocacy, assessment, intervention, and recovery support services. The Council provides a wide range of services to families, schools, businesses, individuals and the community at large. www.councilsepa.org 

NEW INFO - Celebrating Families for mothers in treatment

Good Afternoon!

The Council’s “Celebrating Families” program will now begin on Monday, May 20^th at Aldie Counseling Center in Doylestown!  “Celebrating Families” is a program for women in treatment with children (ages 3-18). 

The Central Bucks cycle of “Celebrating Families” will focus specifically on the mothers in treatment and include their children only in the 2 social activities outside of the program sessions.  The 13 sessions will be offered for FREE, twice per week, during the day, and a FREE light lunch will be provided.  

“Celebrating Families” is a program to help strengthen families and break the cycle of addiction to the next generation.  Some of the topics include: Healthy Living, Communication, Feelings & Defenses, Chemical Dependency Affects the Whole Family, Goal Setting, Healthy Boundaries, and more!

I have attached the updated flyer here for you to pass along.  Interested participants MUST REGISTER with Diane Catherwood as soon as possible at 215-230-8218 x3185 or at dcatherwood@councilsepa.org.   If you have any questions, please contact me any time.

Thank you so much for spreading the word!!

Jessica Schwartz

Community Development Coordinator

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.

252 West Swamp Road, Unit 12

Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901

Phone: (215) 345-6644 ext. 3122

Fax: (215) 348-3377

(800) 221-6333 - 24 Hour Information Line

jschwartz@councilsepa.org

Celebrating Families Flyer Central Bucks - FINAL.pdf 562K   View   Download