Posted on 12/13/2008 2:04:30 AM PST by incredulous joe
I suppose this thread could get messy? I've not tried to post anything like it and not seen anyone else do likewise.
It is a prerecorded program of Fr. Benedict Groeschel's "Sunday Night Live" on EWTN. This particular program was broadcast last Sunday, December 7, 2008. At some point in the future, it might be interesting to stream the program in live forum, but I don't think that EWTN has streaming available yet.
Go to:
http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp
and select the MP3 button next to "Sunday Night: Live with Father Benedict Groeschel"
I usually podcast these programs and get around to listening to them later in the week. As things would have it that did not happen until yesterday(Friday).
As the length of time that these podcasts are available to listen to is limited ~ this broadcast will be replaced tomorrow evening or sometime Monday ~ if you'd care to listen to the broadcast you will need to do it today and tomorrow, unless you save the program to your hard drive.
I thought Groeschel's observations quite good. I was particularly interested in the first question of discussion in the broadcast, St. Joseph, wondered if anyone else might have some insights.
I suppose the thing to do in the future if, I would care to kick the SNL program around with other Catholics and Christians, is to post such a thread earlier in the week.
By the way, I don't know all the rules and protocol for Ecumenical threads. To me, a Catholic, the discussion would seem to be of interest to other Christians. I would simply ask that courtesy and "good faith" common sense during discussion be the rule the day.
You are in my prayers, especially to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Please, I beg you to go to an AA meeting ASAP. You can find out by calling the AA number in your phone book. I’ve been where you are, thousands of us have been there too. And there is help and hope.
I thank you so much. If I lose my job I will have nothing left. I will have to declare bankruptcy, I will have my car repo’d. My credit will be ruined. I will literally be sleeping on the street soon. The bible doesnt help feed or clothe me. I still believe that my dad will see me through my death. I have enough to still purchase a helium tank and a gas mask to hook up to it. Helium renders you unconscious within a couple minutes and to my Maker within 5. Peaceful and without pain. I hold off from this until I know what my fate will be in a few months
Ive been to several AA meetings. I dont happen to believe in any higher power. I dont need to believe in anything. I do think that my dad comes to me in my dreams. That is not a higher power. It will be at least March before I know what my fate is. I am facing DUI/refusal and a carrying a weapon without permit. I tried to commit suicide in July while drunk. Im not sucidal now, but I am anxious about what willl happen to me
I appreciate your concern. Im not into AA. Im into reality
Ever hear of Pascal’s Wager??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager
The question is not whether there is or isnt a god. There does not have to be a god. Just because we dont understand does not necessitate anything. But that will be lost on you and most people.
“Im not into AA. Im into reality”
Yes, of course, my Tuesday nite meeting was a land of rainbows, gumdrops and unicorns...the reality is you are sick, your life is unmanageable and you will end up in a casket unless something changes. Your preoccupation with yourself kind of precludes any outside help. Man up and get the help you need..
Free Republic has a ping list you may want to check out:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2100733/posts
Best of luck to you, FRiend.
I appreciate your concern. I really do. You do whatever helps you. You keep on buying into the recovery industry BS and ignoring my previous comment. No need to respond to it. Too painful to respond to. My pre-occupation with myself, nah, that will end when I want it to. Not interested in pre-occupation. Keep on believing in the flying spaghetti monster thats keep you sober. The justice system is lovely. Everybody has food in their tummy’s. Just make sure you get that wonderful coffee at that next AA meeting.
Thanks but I believe in myself. not an invisible cloud being
Then, get lost. I sincerely dislike people like you. Frankly, I think you’re a troll.
Quit coming onto threads, telling sob stories and otherwise soliciting help, then turning up your nose when you receive responses. If you’ve got all the answers, then why are you bedeviling us with your problems?
Im not bedeviling anyone. I not asking for anyone’s help. Im not telling sob stories. Alcoholism runs in my family. I am facing a DUI with a carry charge. I am depressed. I was suicidal in the past but not now. It warms my heart that when in homeless in a few months that I can think back on posts like yours. Guess I should just accept religion and hope it fills my stomach. Or perhaps pays my rent the next month. Faith based living. Yep. I’ll be under the bridge soon. Guarantee you or any other Freerepublic member wont give a S then.
And by the way. it was a suicide attempt. Not that you care. Unless you profit from it. Yes, I deserve to to spend several months in jail from trying to kill myself. Nice society you have there. That AA coffee is sure delicious though!
“Alcoholism runs in my family. I am facing a DUI with a carry charge. I am depressed. I was suicidal in the past but not now....”
I didn’t ask for another rehash of your problems, which you apparently are compelled to recount in loving detail. If you’re too stupid or weak to overcome your issues, or are too obstinate to seek help to overcome them, then the devil take you. Again, get lost and quit hijacking threads.
You’re Christian dislike, sincerely, is typical. Thanks. I will be soon living in the apartment halllway. I got word that I will be getting laid off next week. Like you care. As long as it doesnt affect CEO’s.
ok.
Im sorry. Im truly sorry. I am a lost cause.
I would say that you should listen to question #5 of the podcast; it refers to those who constantly fall into sin.
Per Groeschel’s answer; we are all “poor sinners”. I would recommend using this in place of the word “loser”. We are all joined together in sin and may all be redeemed by our Lord’s suffering.
My own brother was/is an alcoholic and went through 2 DWIs. He is a good man, but used the bottle to resolve some demons in his life. He and his wife have suffered through six miscarriages. He did not like AA, but he started there and found coping methods of his own. Most importantly, he gave his life over to God. He humbled himself and asked for God’s help. I don’t know that you have to follow a specific doctrine or path. I think you could be Christian or Jew or even agnostic. I have my doubts that you can solve your problem through any secular approach. The “reality” that you speak of is not real. I think the root of alcoholism is a spiritual one. A “higher power” should be invoked even if you don’t know who or what that power is.
Today my brother is very successful. He is a very quiet man and very reserved. Not a Bible thumper and not someone who is prone to speak forcefully about his spirituality. But he knows that he was saved by grace, which he did not have.
I also have other friends who have turned away from alcoholism, some have done it on their own (I mean without a network or AA), but all reference reliance on God. I don’t think you can make it otherwise.
It sounds like you have a lot more problems than just alcohol, but that they are all interconnected. You need to reach out to a group such as AA or a church to find resources that may be of assistance to you.
Finally, you may be someone who is struggling with these problems, as it has occurred to others that you may simply be trolling the thread it has also occurred to me, as well. I have a cynical nature. It is something that I have always struggled with. Hence, the handle “Incredulous Joe”. But I feel that it’s important to take you on “good faith” with the difficulties that you have shared. In that same spirit of “good faith” you should not take the encouragement of others and turn it around to reject them.
This strikes me as subversive and disturbed. In this matter, only the Lord really knows your heart, but He hears our prayers anyway, and knows what is best, regardless of where you may need to be healed.
God bless.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal. Click on my profile page for guidelines pertaining to the Religion Forum.
You can recover. Prayers! Others do care.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.