Skyman -- "Pulling out" is NOT recommended by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Actually, we believe that "every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2370).

"Pulling out" would an instance of attempting to render procreation impossible during the conjugal act. The only acceptable method of family planning, according to Church teaching, is refraining from intercourse during periods of fertility.

I don't want to start a theological debate here, but I do want to make sure my Church's teachings are not misrepresented.

sosick,

Turning to prayer during moments of temptation is actually something that has helped me greatly, but as wolf noted, there were other practical steps that helped as well. Just being aware of situations where I would likely be tempted, knowing what steps to take to redirect my thoughts when necessary (prayer is one that I use often), understanding the process going on in my brain during withdrawal so that I wouldn't lose hope, and sharing with others who were going through the same thing were all helpful.

Wolf, Joel Osteen? With all due respect, but...err, I'll refrain. Of course we need to take action, but at the same time, not just doing it for myself but living that we were made in the image of Christ.


Diansky,

Prayer is really not easy, but praying on His promises really makes me find strength too.

Sosick,

What exactly is wrong with Joel Osteen, according to you? Or anyone else on the spiritual book and sermons circle aside from the Bible? I will have you know that were it not for him and other authors whose books I read and still read, I will not be here sober five years later.

It is true that I did not so much as prayed but recited Psalms 23, 91 and 97 whenever I was tempted and or felt an urge. I also used Joel Osteen's sermons on temptation as well as others who are not Christian such as Louise Hay, Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer and Ernest Holmes whose Meditation for the treatment for alcoholism was very useful to me. In other words in my quest for healing I sought as many sources as I could, you may disagree but I know they were equally spiritually inspired. We all have the right to seek them as we see fit.

And the irony? They all sent me back to God and I am living a spiritually guided life. As an aside, the Joel Osteen comment or lack of thereof, I found condescending. Just like you do not like being mocked for your beliefs, others also dislike it.

The difference between you and me is this said by Carl Jung: I do not believe in God. I know. Beliefs can be changed or challenged but knowledge is set, so by moving from belief to knowlege, nothing anyone can say can shake my faith and nothing anyone can say to me can change it either, I do not need Bible verses to prove it. It is ever present in my entire being.

To me, we are all God manifest in this realm, but so few of us know it and least of all, act on that knowledge because if they allowed God to manifest through them, they would know love and peace but like me, they all have to find it at their own pace, no amount of me forcing them into it or threatening them into it will help. Like me, God shows up when we are ready to receive the message. It is never too late.

So the only time, I am bothered or out of synch is when I am not aware of God within me, once I am present and connected, I am back to my own self and this is why I do not try to convert and stay away from evangelizing because it is disrespectful to their own life path, as it were. If they want to know how I got to where I am, I will share it. Otherwise, I will stick to the more recular approaches.

Wolf

P.S. I figured out why Jesus said he was the way and the truth and it was never about what everyone has said and continues to say. Once the light bulb lit, my life was never the same, it goes back to what I wrote about belief versus knowledge.

Joel Osteen: "Me" centered. Proper theology: God centered. Osteen may help people through using God's Word, but that isn't Christianity. He preaches about 'worldy' things, material things. It may help people with personal problems, but he's using God's name to benefit himself more than God. Our purpose as Christians is to glorify God. How about just sticking to God's Word? Does he do that? Is that his purpose in life, to glorify Him? I'm glad you found some personal benefit through Osteen, but to call that Christianity is wrong.

"I do not need Bible verses to prove it. It is ever present in my entire being. "

Therein lies our answer. How can you know someone if you don't sit down and spend time with him? Sitting down, quietly, reading His Word is the ONLY way to know God. All this extra fluff is not God. You're looking out for your own benefit, as I am MY OWN master. Instead, you need to look at it from God's lens, His perspective. I do wish you the best. Addiction is horrible because we become slaves and put Him last. However, I hope you find some better resources to truly and sincerely understand who God is.

Sosick,

Two things: Using terms as wrong to describe someone's take on Christianity as wrong is judgmental therefore not Christian as Christ clearly told us not to do so. Your opinions are you own, I may not agree with them but I would not call them wrong. I would simply call them diferent from mine but not wrong.

The other even more important, I do not need an anciently written book to get to know God. Granted some things written in them trascend time and space, so to speak but to assert or imply that after the Bible God stopped talking to us or even imply that the only way to know God is by reading the Bible, I will have to strongly disagree.

I am not in the least bit looking out for my own benefit and to have you even assume it is speaks volumes on your attitude towards those who disagree with you. You do not even know me, yet based on a few replies you think you know me. As I often say, only God knows my heart and the mere fact that I am here attempting to help others conquer their addictions shows that assertion of yours is innacurate

Yes, it is true that it would have been easier to simply heal and go on with my life and as you say looking out for my own benefit, but I decided to do otherwise.

Addiction is indeed horrible but that is no longer my problem, in the least. And God is first in my life and though I appreciate the sentiment, I will repeat it, I do not need to go anywhere to find God. As the saying goes, whereever God is so am I

Again, I know who,what,where God is, no worries and how can you tell I know? I am not telling you to read a book, sacred or not. I am asking you to sit in a room and ask him to show you how much he loves you, and be open to the answer. Until you feel what St. Paul refers to as a love that passes understanding, it will elude you.

So my issue with you is that I know God talks to me and all of us all the time, but few are ready to listen and do you know why? It conflicts with what they think they know about God. Gratefully the addiction had stripped me bare so I had other alternative to start fresh and have that renewing of the mind and heart that St Paul speaks of

And here is the irony, you are telling me I should go to the Bible but the thing is that I take it more seriously than most Christians, nothing shakes my faith and I truly take as it is, like I often say, God in the Bible is the only one who uses absolutes like never, always, why? Because he is the only one who can and it is true. Never has failed me and has always been with me, though at times it did not feel that way, it was my own inacurate perspective at work.

Live and learn,
Wolf

However, I hope you find some better resources to truly and sincerely understand who God is.

Sosick - Hmmm, it seems that you are assuming that unless people do things your way, then they don't know or understand God. That sounds more like cult mentality then being a good Christian.

We all come to know God in our own way and on our own terms. That understanding of God is love, acceptance, patience and forgiveness.

I accept that you have limitations, I am learning patience for those who are not open to learning with others and I forgive you for your short sighted views on others who don't think as you do.

Unfortunately, ego is a huge stumbling block for many (including myself at times). Perhaps that is something you need to ponder.

@Wolf:

To know God is to read His Word. It cannot be more simple than that. Today, people are looking for the quick fix or they don't want to read His Word because that means they'll have to change their lives, according to His ways, and not their own. Why change my life when it is so comfortable?

I guess we need to define the term knowing God or is it merely an awareness of God? I do wish you the best in your recovery.

I think the greatest weakness in the church today is that almost no one believes that God invests His power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in a program, in a methodology, in a technique, in anything and everything but that in which God has placed itHis Word. He alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures.
R.C. Sproul, The Prayer of the Lord

@shanas:

"We all come to know God in our own way and on our own terms. That understanding of God is love, acceptance, patience and forgiveness."

Therein lies our problem.

"Do I really know the Bible, and do I worship God on the basis of the truth I find there? That truth is centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, as seen in the Bible. There the invisible God is made visible, the inscrutable knowable, the eternal God disclosed in space and time. Do I look to Jesus in order to know God? - James M. Boice.

I don't need to tell you what happens if everyone decided to worship God their own way. It's funny you praise yourself as being patient and then use words such as "limitations..short sighted...ego" to describe me. If God is just "love, acceptance, patience and forgiveness" what do you say about God's wrath? I do wish you read His Word before commenting on it.

This is the sermon that I listened to this week.
http://www.hopechurchchandler.com/mediaPlayer/#sermonaudio/245

Very applicable on when to judge and when not to judge.

Sosick - Your preaching is misplaced here.

I am hoping this thread ends once and for all because you have done nothing to help no one here other than preach your own beliefs.

Good luck though. Sounds like you need it.

Let's worship God by not reading the Bible. Need I say more?