Post 93

A CASE FOR FASTING

Note:  Seek professional advice and help prior to any decision to fast.

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a person who had just completed  a planned fast.  For a set period of time, she continuously stayed on a liquid diet – juices and water with no other food intake.  She was jubilant!  She had kept her fast and the results were what she had planned for – and hoped. 

To curb urges for the harmful elements from which she was abstaining, preparations were first made: appropriate advice and help were obtained and followed.  To be sure, this is essential.  Any  fasting needs to be thoroughly thought through, prepared for, and followed – including professional medical advice and approval.   Additionally, she had sought out her pastor’s knowledge about fasting and had gained spiritual insight prior to – and throughout her fast.

Following this conversation, I thought back to two experiences I had had with regard to fasting … no, there had never before been a purposeful fast.  Yes, I had stayed off food when ailing from stomach unrest; and yes, I do abstain from certain foods when I feel a headache coming on.  Oh, and yes, I’ve “dieted” – but there was no spiritual motivation involved.  However, there were two experiences that have sparked inspiration within me.  First, quite some time ago, I read Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline.  Particularly, his chapter on the topic of fasting intrigued me.  I never followed up – in action – but over the years, there was much food for thought  to digest from that chapter.  Second, a person, who had noticed how limited I was able to move about during an extraordinary flare-up of sciatica, said that he was fasting for me in order that I might receive healing.  Actually, I did recover from that painful bout; and the memory of his statement reminds me every so often about this special spiritual discipline.  

In fact, last week the memory popped up again.  Then a friend emailed me that this week would most likely be a particularly hard one.  I promised that I would pray for her; and suddenly, the idea of fasting presented me with a challenge – and an invitation.  

So this week, I am following a modified fast-and-pray discipline.  The “modified” aspect of the fast is that it is not a liquid only or a no-food plan.  Rather, I will eat three meals each day (no matter what) with very precise portions (no seconds), eliminate snacks completely, and drink LOTS of water.  For a snack-or and an eat-all-you’re-in-the-mood-for  (because you most likely skipped a meal) person,  this modified regimen has turned out to be an interesting – and convicting - discipline. Moreover, throughout each day, I am praying for my friend.

So far, I am discovering several elemental benefits from this limited fast – some a surprise – that I should have already expected!

·        I do not miss the snacks … and when mini-hunger feelings strike, they pass by quickly

·        The seconds are not missed.  Even as portion sizes are carefully calculated, the limited meal is just enough.

·        No desserts, period.

·        The regimen of these predictably, limited meals generates a feeling of self-control that, in turn, generates a broader sense of stability.

·        Pervasively, knowing that I am following this personal discipline for a spiritual reason brings an element of joy into the discipline of limitation.

·        Praying for my friend is in the midst of everything … there is an overall sense of being blanketed in prayer  - as I am blanketing her in prayer.

·        It’s not about “I can’t eat anything I want or as much as I want.”     Instead, it’s  “I can do this … and I’m already enjoying the benefits and blessings!”

·        AND it is because I am counting on God to guide me through this week, I am able to know, with assurance, that there are and will be joys – and spiritual depth -  throughout this week for my friend … and me.

In closing, I am wondering how this same approach of spiritual discipline (whether it be fasting or another form of spirituality) could go a long way for persons already in recovery but who are feeling the tug of triggers to return to previous addictive behaviors

Once more, for those curious about and interested in fasting, consult your physician first. 

Remember: recovery is physical, emotional, social, mental, relational, and spiritual!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs CCGSO

Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries

www.grmumc.org

 For more information on compulsive gambling and recovery issues, visit:

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

www.mdproblemgambling.com 

www.gamblersanonymous.org

www.gam-anon.org

www.kycpg.org

www.pgnohio.org

Post 92

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS!

IGCCB** CLERGY/LAY MINISTER TRAINING TOWARD CERTIFICATION

in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care

WILL BE HELD MARCH 10-11, 17-18                             BALTIMORE, MD AREA

                    REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!                  FREE TRAININGS!!

(** International Gambling Counselor Certification Board)

Call the Maryland Center of Excellence in Problem Gambling for registration details

Phone: (667) 214-2128 or email: www.mdproblemgambling.com 

ALSO!

IGCCB** CLERGY/LAY MINISTER TRAINING TOWARD CERTIFICATION

in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care

WILL BE HELD MARCH 24-25,  MARCH  31-APRIL 1             GARY, INDIANA

                   REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!      FREE TRAININGS!!             

(** International Gambling Counselor Certification Board)

Call the Maryland Center of Excellence in Problem Gambling for registration details

Phone: (667) 214-2128 and ask for Jeff Beck.

MORE!!

          INDIANA STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

        in observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

        FREE TRAINING!!    March 29-30       8:30am-4:15pm both days

                 NCAA Hall of Champions,  700 W. Washington St.,  Indianapolis, IN 46204          

For more information on registration details, contact

  Indiana Council on Problem Gambling    at   www.indianaproblemgambling.org                       

Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program at  www.ipgap.indiana.edu

 

Post 92 continued                           Pot O’ Gold  Nuggets

In Post 37 – March 2013 -  I wrote, “ this part-Irish woman just loves the holiday [of St. Patrick’s Day]: wooly sheep-strewn hill scenes on picturesque greeting cards; full-bodied, steaming tea in "cozy-ed" china pots; lively fiddle tunes reminding Americans that Appalachian music has a close first-cousin across "the pond"; and the charm of soul-warming words, wrapped together in blessings - centuries old - and a comfort to all.”  Appreciations have been expressed for the re-worded Irish Blessing – in a new Recovery Blessing format – that followed this introduction.  I invite you to scroll back the Posts and enjoy it once again!

In the presentation Pioneers and Frontiers  I made last month at the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling 20^th Annual Awareness & Education Conference,  I urged the clergy and lay ministers present to identify “gold-nugget” resources in helping them with their ministries of outreach to problem gamblers and their loved ones.  The point is real: through networking and asking for help and advice, there truly will be found persons, organizations, and agencies worth their “weight in gold” in our endeavors to break ground in establishing effective outreach to those affected by gambling addiction.  

For this month’s  GRM Blog Post 92,  I have grouped three categories of gold nuggets to share:  resources, tell-it-like-it-is experience-talk (i.e., to be learned from), and recovery-wisdom,.  As you will see, each nugget is based on true experience!

RESOURCES
·         State Councils and Agencies on Problem Gambling

There is much to be said in praise of these organizations!  Check them out for free (yes: free!) giveaways – brochures, fact sheets, and posters … all great for community bulletin boards, programming, and mini-recovery resource centers in your own faith-parish facility.  You might even be able to obtain free videos for presentations … and often, these entities will have Speakers’ Bureaus that offer interesting presentations!  Moreover, State Conferences administered by these agencies usually provide much sought-after continuing education units with national speakers and outstanding programs!

·         National Council on Problem Gambling (www.ncpgambling.org ) for National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Free online materials: Press Release scripts, PA announcements, and flyers/fact sheets!

·         Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon   

One of the very best things the Gambling Recovery Ministries Board ever has done was to invite local GA and Gam-Anon Members to provide a workshop for us to learn about recovery from gambling addiction.  Simply put - the sharing was absolutely priceless …  and friendships were made too!

TELL-IT-LIKE-IT-IS EXPERIENCE-TALK   (to be learned from!)

·         When you’re in addiction for so long, you don’t feel worthy

·         Do I talk to myself the way I talk to my friends?

·         If I’m constantly trying to get something from everybody else, I’m never going to get it.

·         I didn’t want to feel anything because it was so painful

·         Poor self-care:  happens … even weeks or months before relapse

·         Relapse actually is the heart of addiction … like a microcosm of addiction.

·         (S)he stole the family’s dignity from me.

·         I didn’t like gambling anymore; but I knew there was no way out.

·         Hoping for the wrong things: think instead, what are God’s hopes for me?

·         At first, I didn’t  want to understand the questions asking “Are you livening with a compulsive gambler?”

RECOVERY WISDOM

·         Recovery or chaos: your choice

·         “The capacity to learn is a gift … the ability to learn is a skill … the willingness to learn is a choice”  (Brochure from 26^th Annual Lexington GA Mini-Conference, 2017)

·         HOPE: from just a word … to a concept … to a way of life – as put into living-practice by encouragement, love, and patience

·         Good night’s rest; three meals a day; ask for help

·         Doing for myself  NOT  by myself.

·         Anything I’ll put in front of my recovery, I’ll lose.

·         Stop living in the pain of the past.

·         If you can choose not to gamble, a world of choices opens up; otherwise, when gambling, there’s no choosing … gambling just is.

·         God is all powerful; God can do the best for us.

·         God loves and cares for you.   God will not give up on you.  Please, do not give up on yourself.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And may we stay forever within the grip of God,

Sharing with others

This message of recovery and hope!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

www.grmumc.org

For more information on recovery from compulsive gambling, go to

www.gamblersanonymous.org   and   www.gam-anon.org

 

Post 91

 SPECIAL  ANNOUNCEMENT!!  

IGCCB** CLERGY/LAY MINISTER TRAINING TOWARD CERTIFICATION

in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care

WILL BE HELD  MARCH 10-11, 17-18                                     BALTIMORE, MD AREA

                              REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!        FREE TRAINING!!

(** International Gambling Counselor Certification Board)

Call the Maryland Center of Excellence in Problem Gambling for registration details:  Phone: (667) 214 -2128  or email: www.mdproblemgambling.com 

Post 91

Bless You!

 

We hear this often, don’t we?  Someone sneezes, bless you!  In parting, God bless you.  You receive a compliment or gift, bless you!  In speaking of the deceased, bless his soul.  I close my letters and GRM Blog Posts, Blessings.  Actually, what do we mean?

Do the words bless or blessing(s) carry a particular connotation or are they used simply as a nicety, a pretty-sounding expression, a polite response?  Frequently, I wonder what the personal response to a “bless you” message might be to an individual who may not be especially faith-oriented or who is struggling with his/her faith.  When a clergyperson exclaims, God bless you!, could this sound shallow?  Then again, how often do we really think about the meaning of this commonly used expression? 

For the February 2017 GRM Blog edition, we’ll dig deeper into the words “blessing, bless, and blessed” – and hopefully, gain additional insights into our claiming blessings upon our fellow members of humankind!

Years ago, I came across wise words with regard to asking God how to bless a person.  How does one pray blessings upon someone?  How can we cover the individual with prayerful blessings?  Actually, the word B-L-E-S-S serves as our guide.  I urge the clergy and lay ministers who are working toward the IGCCB** Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care to use this guide as they discuss recovery issues with persons affected directly and indirectly by gambling addiction.  May the following be of help to you as you proclaim blessings upon others.

B     BODY     physical health, renewal

L     LABOR     being productive, being effective

E    EMOTIONAL LIFE     healthy and holy*

S     SOCIAL LIFE     healthy and holy*

S     SPIRITUAL LIFE       healthy and holy*

(NOTE:  * holy: according to one’s tenets of faith)

Now, let’s add additional dimension to the Blessings Guide. 

From a recent sermon given by Rev. Lawrence Nielsen (Senior Pastor, Integrity Gospel Church) I have been given permission to share the following thoughts.

“ Where do God’s promises and blessings end and our responses begin?  Where does God’s will meet our will in the divine-human encounter?  It has not always been easy to discern … Why take the time to talk about God’s blessings when behind the scenes we plot our own course to get our own way anyhow? … The story of God’s blessing and call to Abram reminds us that the focus of God’s blessings is not on the one being blessed.  Rather, God’s blessings focus on how to share with others.  Abram was blessed to be a blessing, not for personal gain [Genesis 12:2] ... God blesses, and we then bless others … Why does God give us gifts and talents?  Why does God grant us peace and even sometimes prosperity?  The answer is not found in keeping things to ourselves.  Rather, it is found in the movement from self to God … God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others – even those who may hurt or injure us … Our mission, as God’s people, as Christ’s church, as fathers and mothers, is not simply to take care of our own, but to take the promise of blessing and hope beyond ourselves to all of God’s children today and in the generations to come.”

In this same vein of receiving blessings, members of Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon share their blessings of recovery through Step 12 of the GA/Gam-Anon 12 Steps Recovery Programs.  I have witnessed the incredible blessings that flow from GA and Gam-Anon members as they follow this Step and help others who are suffering.

Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry out this message to other compulsive gamblers/ others.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED!

Rev. Janet Jacobs CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

www.grmumc.org

 For more information on compulsive gambling and recovery issues, visit:

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

www.mdproblemgambling.com 

www.gamblersanonymous.org

www.gam-anon.org

www.kycpg.org

www.pgnohio.org

Post 90

2016 … the year the Christmas tree fell – twice:  WHY??

Just a few days before Christmas Eve .. mad dashes throughout the week to be ready for Christmas!  Out-of-State family had already arrived and exciting catching-up-fun with local family was in full swing.  Advent calendar openings, last minute shopping and gift wrapping, cookie making, family dinners ... and setting this scene was a beautiful tall tree (the tallest one ever!) with all of those traditional ornaments, lovingly hung and accompanied with special memories.  You really did craft all of those wooden ornaments while I was a baby?  That’s the only art piece I ever had showcased!  Look at that mischievous smile … you must have been in fifth grade.  Of course, the day had been busy, busy; and our evening was blissfully winding down.  Little One sleeping soundly and quiet time for the adults with tree lights glowing and soft carols playing … then I saw it coming.  Slowly but steadily, CRASH!  The tree upended itself, partly on the floor and partly on the nearby chair with our daughter in it!  I saw it coming but wasn’t in the right place to stop its graceful plunge. Disbelief, at first.  Quickly, though, we moved to unplug the tree lights and rescue gifts from the spilled tree water.  Gladly, Little One didn’t wake up (a Christmas miracle?) and once we caught our collective breath, we worked together to right the tree and securely affix it to the base.  Mess cleaned up, Daughter and I re-decorated the tree – even more beautifully than before.  Next morning, Little One awoke and played with her doll by the tree … we were so glad that we had worked well into the night restoring the tree to its earlier magnificence. She had been spared the horrifying sight of a fallen tree with tangled lights and broken ornaments.  WHY? though, was the big question on our minds.  Had we not secured the tree adequately?  This had never happened before but could this happen again?

The days continued – more preparations and growing excitement!  Finally, Christmas Eve arrived .. .  picture perfect … well, not quite:  there were more mad dashes throughout the day to complete all projects.  Work done!  Made it to church on time (sorta); candlelight dinner at home with the entire family; a mug of milk and fancy dessert set out for Santa; Little One sleeping soundly; quiet time for the adults with presents wrapped and tree lights glowing (sound familiar?)  Tired and satisfied with all of the work finished, we went to bed.   Then, in the middle of the night, I woke up: CRASH-THUD.  What was that?  Little One cried out and Mama’s comforting words quickly came.  We descended the stairs and disbelief once again!  The tree laid flat on the floor.  HOW could this be? WHY, after all of our careful work to replace the tree trunk into the base, did it fall?  We gathered up the fallen ornaments and lights, cleaned up the mess, and took the tree outside.  Mama had told Little One that the tree had fallen again; and thankfully, Little One went back to sleep, instantly – missing, once more, a dismally, traumatic sight (another Christmas miracle?).

Why these stories on the GRM Blog?  Twice now, you’ve read the question WHY?  Likewise,  when individuals fall into addictive patterns, the question WHY?  is asked … often.  And  WHY?  appears plenty of times when relapse occurs.

Then too, there are many answers –  the complexity of addiction compels us to think deeply.  Yet the Gamblers Anonymous “Yellow” Combo Book offers a very basic answer:

“Is knowing why we gambled important?”

“Perhaps, however insofar as stopping gambling, many Gamblers Anonymous members have abstained from gambling without the benefit of the knowledge of why they gambled.” (Gambler Anonymous, www.gamblersanonymous.org ) 

At the beginning of this new year, a number of resolutions or goals are being pondered. We may look at the past twelve (or more!) months and wonder, Why?  We may be trying to sort out what may have gone wrong, why did things happen as they did, …what factors played a role in how things turned out.  Perhaps, there will be no definitive answers.  Possibly, the Why? question doesn’t even need to be replayed (especially over and over).  It’s the moving-on that matters now.   

As I type this New Year’s Greeting to you, I, prayerfully, hope that for each of you there will come reflection, response, and meaningful experience in restoration and recovery, along with miracles!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
www.grmumc.org

 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling 20th Annual Education and Awareness Conference “Out of the Shadows” will be February 9-10 at the Clarion Hotel, Lexington, KY.  Up to 15.5 hours of CEUs are available.  For more information, contact KYCPG Director Mike Stone at kmstone1951@gmail.com

ALSO!

The Annual Lexington Area Gamblers Anonymous Mini-Conference will take place at the Clarion Hotel February 10-12.  For registration, e-mail twsatterly@aol.com .

Note: the KYCPG Conference (above) includes the kickoff reception for the GA Mini-Conference at 5:30 Friday evening, February 10, 2017.

For more information on problem gambling and recovery, go to

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

www.mdproblemgambling.com  

www.gamblersanonymous.org

www.gam-anon.org