38 Years Down The Drain

[suthern_gntlman]

I'm confused by what you mean by looking at a half roll of Cope.

One of my guys at work bought a half roll and left it out on the table in the kitchen. Every time I walked by, there it was...

I expressed my consternation and he finally did something with it.. (I almost threw it away!!)

[rdad]

Today is another battle won against the 'ole NIC.

Victory is mine and the satisfaction of looking at a half roll of Copenhagen all day today and getting more mad each time is fulfilling.

I want to hate it, but I'm just not there yet...

Thankfully tomorrow gives me a new chance to stare the enemy in the eye and win!

It's not a game, it's the difference between life and death!

I'm a quitter, he's a quitter, she's a quitter, be a quitter!

'Remshot'

I'm confused by what you mean by looking at a half roll of Cope.

[Can_I_Kick_It?]

Today is another battle won against the 'ole NIC.

Victory is mine and the satisfaction of looking at a half roll of Copenhagen all day today and getting more mad each time is fulfilling.

I want to hate it, but I'm just not there yet...

Thankfully tomorrow gives me a new chance to stare the enemy in the eye and win!

It's not a game, it's the difference between life and death!

I'm a quitter, he's a quitter, she's a quitter, be a quitter!

'Remshot'

[suthern_gntlman]

Today is another battle won against the 'ole NIC.

Victory is mine and the satisfaction of looking at a half roll of Copenhagen all day today and getting more mad each time is fulfilling.

I want to hate it, but I'm just not there yet...

Thankfully tomorrow gives me a new chance to stare the enemy in the eye and win!

It's not a game, it's the difference between life and death!

I'm a quitter, he's a quitter, she's a quitter, be a quitter!

[suthern_gntlman]

In 2 Chronicles chapter 20. The King of Judah that resided in Jerusalem (Jehoshaphat), Is being invaded by three armies. These other peoples came up against Judah with ferocious speed and deliberate intent.

When Jehoshaphat is told about the aggression, verse three says, "Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD..."

God's response to Judah and Jehoshaphat's plea was the following:

...Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow go down against them: ...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you..." (verses 15-17)

There are a number of things that I find interesting about this, in regards to my quit. First and foremost, the fact that Jehoshaphat immediately turned to God for guidance. Next is the idea that of facing my problem: "go down against them."

Facing problems is not a selective theme through the scriptures.

Jesus went up to be tempted after he had fasted for 40 days and nights. He didn't slink off and hide, he went foward and faced satan!

Let's each and everyone of us quitters face our addicition, everyday! Let's not hide from it and put it off as something that is no longer a threat, or immaterial. Let's face it!

I choose to face it, with the self assurance that the Lord is with me.

[Can_I_Kick_It?]

We cannot change the past.
Worrying about the future is pointless
Live for, and own today.

Hatred is a dangerous thing. Left to thrive, it is like a cancer. Don't know what this dude did and don't really care. You've wasted an awful lot of energy and passion on someone that you said doesn't care. What a waste bro...

Moving on is hard. Growing is hard. Winning isn't easy. But it sure is rewarding.

Forgiveness also includes forgiving yourself, gentleman. Don't box yourself in there.

Jesus was being crucified on the cross by those who persecuted Him and you know His last words... If He can do that...the least we can do is forgive others and ourselves.

[worktowin]

We cannot change the past.
Worrying about the future is pointless
Live for, and own today.

Hatred is a dangerous thing. Left to thrive, it is like a cancer. Don't know what this dude did and don't really care. You've wasted an awful lot of energy and passion on someone that you said doesn't care. What a waste bro...

Moving on is hard. Growing is hard. Winning isn't easy. But it sure is rewarding.

By the way, if I laid out 100 f-bombs in your intro do you think it would make you so mad at me you'd forget about this other dude? Hmmmmmmm

[worktowin]

We cannot change the past.
Worrying about the future is pointless
Live for, and own today.

Hatred is a dangerous thing. Left to thrive, it is like a cancer. Don't know what this dude did and don't really care. You've wasted an awful lot of energy and passion on someone that you said doesn't care. What a waste bro...

Moving on is hard. Growing is hard. Winning isn't easy. But it sure is rewarding.

[wildirish317]

Southern Man, that's in the Lord's Prayer as well "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us". You are right about it being a command. However, it's not for the benefit of the trespasser. It's for the benefit of those who are trespassed against. When you forgive someone, you drop the grudge that you've been carrying around. Do you know how light that feels? I do. When someone wrongs me, I forgive them as soon as I can. I don't want to carry that weight. What's done is done.

More later (maybe).

[Can_I_Kick_It?]

I've got a lot of mixed emotions going through my mind right now.

First and foremost, I don't deserve any of you.

The Apostle Peter came to Jesus and asked him, "How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?'

Jesus replied, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21,22)I've tried to use this command (for don't kid yourself, it is not just a suggestion) in my life. There have been times I've failed in it. As I sit here I can think of at least one person that I have problems forgiving. I know I should and I tell myself I should, but there is still that nagging feeling in the back of my mind... you know the one... "well he never came and apologized."

Thing is, the man I'm referring to, probably doesn't even give me a second thought and I waste time 15 years later wondering if I've truly forgiven him...

But you guys... Bless your hearts...

I certainly don't presume that each and everyone of you have forgiven me, but the outpouring of support (adversarial or not); means the world to me.

I know for a fact why I failed the first time. I was not danojeno and MonsterEMT that busted my balls and then handed me lotion to rub on them. Applejack, Dagranger, worktowin, you've all made me continue to think and re-evaluate (doesn't mean I'm cool on the profanity though).

The messages I received from CIKI, pxc, Cornholio, Concharde, brianl and jokebook were especially humbling. I actually feel more guilty now than I did before, because of the outpouring of support I could've had, had I only thought to reach out to someone 8 days ago!! it is a good thing this type of guilt though.

2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.

In other words true repentance is one that gets you down in your soul and puts you on your knees. This is the sorrow that makes you want to change and never change back!

I'm on my knees guys and gals and your overwhelming support is, again, humbling.

Thanks.

You're a good man. Stay diligent and don't let that devil creep.

[brettlees]

Keep diggin that hole man. You'll need it.

[suthern_gntlman]

I've got a lot of mixed emotions going through my mind right now.

First and foremost, I don't deserve any of you.

The Apostle Peter came to Jesus and asked him, "How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?'

Jesus replied, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21,22)I've tried to use this command (for don't kid yourself, it is not just a suggestion) in my life. There have been times I've failed in it. As I sit here I can think of at least one person that I have problems forgiving. I know I should and I tell myself I should, but there is still that nagging feeling in the back of my mind... you know the one... "well he never came and apologized."

Thing is, the man I'm referring to, probably doesn't even give me a second thought and I waste time 15 years later wondering if I've truly forgiven him...

But you guys... Bless your hearts...

I certainly don't presume that each and everyone of you have forgiven me, but the outpouring of support (adversarial or not); means the world to me.

I know for a fact why I failed the first time. I was not danojeno and MonsterEMT that busted my balls and then handed me lotion to rub on them. Applejack, Dagranger, worktowin, you've all made me continue to think and re-evaluate (doesn't mean I'm cool on the profanity though).

The messages I received from CIKI, pxc, Cornholio, Concharde, brianl and jokebook were especially humbling. I actually feel more guilty now than I did before, because of the outpouring of support I could've had, had I only thought to reach out to someone 8 days ago!! it is a good thing this type of guilt though.

2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.

In other words true repentance is one that gets you down in your soul and puts you on your knees. This is the sorrow that makes you want to change and never change back!

I'm on my knees guys and gals and your overwhelming support is, again, humbling.

Thanks.

[Rawls]

Once I get out of the house and back to work from this dadgum pneumonia, I won't post as much...

Me and Can_I_Kick_It (can I shorten that, to maybe... CIKI? I think I will...) have been PMing back and forth. It has been good for me.

Today he asked me a question that I thought I would share my answer to everyone else... You might not be able to get anything from it, but it helped me in writing it. If you do gain something from it... Icing...

Anyway... CIKI asked, "So.... is there a particular book in the bible or scriptures that you like to lean on in your quit? How do you make sense of this all as it relates to being a follower of Christ? I'm always interested in hearing about others' walk with Christ as it relates to shedding this poison."

Below is my answer:

In the early 80's, when I was in school, my older sister used to leave little notes around in places only I could find them. She would ask me to quit, beg me to quit, scream at me to quit...

A lot of the time should would reference verses referring to moderation, our bodies as the temple and such. I'd ignore them....

One time we got into an argument and told her, if she gave up chocolate, I'd give up NIC... LOL... how lame is that!

I made agreements with my wife the same way with Sonic Coke....

Anyway... in direct answer to your question...

2 Peter chapter one has always been an inspiration to me. Even though I caved, it still gives me strength. I keep thinking, if I add to my faith virtue and then gain some knowledge, that knowledge (of God's word) is going to help me be temperate. That temperance will lead me to more patient, which help me become more godly. Since the first two commandments are to love God and then love my neighbor, then brotherly kindness and charity are all right there.

If I can just build on these things and keep building... Well, God has after all given us all things that pertain to LIFE and godliness. So, through his word and continuing to build upon these things, I will be able to overcome the cravings.

Verse 10 of that chapter (which is on my signature) really sums it all up for me. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"

I've just got to stay diligent!!

We stay deligent and consistent with the help of others.
Cant do it alone.
It's as though you have turned,
And are now running towards the truth.
I hope when you go back to work...
You dont slow down.
Run the race...... continue to post.
Fore yourself.
And fore others.
I quit with you.
Rawls 498

[suthern_gntlman]

Once I get out of the house and back to work from this dadgum pneumonia, I won't post as much...

Me and Can_I_Kick_It (can I shorten that, to maybe... CIKI? I think I will...) have been PMing back and forth. It has been good for me.

Today he asked me a question that I thought I would share my answer to everyone else... You might not be able to get anything from it, but it helped me in writing it. If you do gain something from it... Icing...

Anyway... CIKI asked, "So.... is there a particular book in the bible or scriptures that you like to lean on in your quit? How do you make sense of this all as it relates to being a follower of Christ? I'm always interested in hearing about others' walk with Christ as it relates to shedding this poison."

Below is my answer:

In the early 80's, when I was in school, my older sister used to leave little notes around in places only I could find them. She would ask me to quit, beg me to quit, scream at me to quit...

A lot of the time should would reference verses referring to moderation, our bodies as the temple and such. I'd ignore them....

One time we got into an argument and told her, if she gave up chocolate, I'd give up NIC... LOL... how lame is that!

I made agreements with my wife the same way with Sonic Coke....

Anyway... in direct answer to your question...

2 Peter chapter one has always been an inspiration to me. Even though I caved, it still gives me strength. I keep thinking, if I add to my faith virtue and then gain some knowledge, that knowledge (of God's word) is going to help me be temperate. That temperance will lead me to more patient, which help me become more godly. Since the first two commandments are to love God and then love my neighbor, then brotherly kindness and charity are all right there.

If I can just build on these things and keep building... Well, God has after all given us all things that pertain to LIFE and godliness. So, through his word and continuing to build upon these things, I will be able to overcome the cravings.

Verse 10 of that chapter (which is on my signature) really sums it all up for me. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"

I've just got to stay diligent!!

[MonsterMedic]

I know that I didn't exactly impress you with my use of profanity with you before.

That being said, I will do my best to refrain from it from here on out.

Just wanted to stop in and tell you that I'm glad to see you getting involved over the last 6 days of this quit. Keep rocking it.

Quit on.