Sainthill Baptist Church

  • Sainthill
  • Kentisbeare
  • Cullompton
  • Devon
  • EX15 2DR

01884 34629
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Sainthill thought for February 2012

The visit of 'TEEN Challenge'  

 Alcohol is a drug that historically has served an important variety of functions, not least in the field of medicine.  However, the word drug makes most people think of spiffs, needles, addiction, disease and death.  But the fact is that every year alcohol kills thousands more people than all the illegal drugs put together.

 Until recently doctors have recommended that sensible weekly limits of alcohol consumption are up to 21 units for men and up to 14 units for women.  However, the current recommendation is to have two alcohol free days each week to allow the body to recover.  The large majority of people use alcohol as a normal social activity.  The remainder are made up of those who don’t use alcohol at all and those in the category of problem drinkers.  The word ‘problem’ seems appropriate because excessive drinking can result in medical as well as social problems.  Sadly, antisocial and violent behaviour, especially amongst young people, is becoming more prevalent in smaller towns and is spreading to larger villages.

 The Bible doesn’t condemn the drinking of wine in moderation but it does speak out against drunkenness.  The book of Proverbs is very clear on this:

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;whoever is led  astray by them is not wise.  (Proverbs 20:1)

 As well as strife and injustice Proverbs associates drunkenness with poverty:

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (Proverbs 23:20 & 21)

 The reason why I’m going on about the dangers of excessive drinking is that we have ‘Teen Challenge’ coming to the area on the 3rd and 4th of March with their presentation entitled ‘The Evidence’.  The Evidence team is a group of young men who have completed the Teen Challenge discipleship drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation programme and are passionate about sharing their message of hope in Christ.  In ‘The Evidence’ , which is an all-age event, team members share their faith with music, multimedia presentation, life stories and challenging Gospel messages.

 Keep an eye out for ‘The Evidence’ poster.  The event will be held at Throgmorton Hall, Dunkeswell on the 3rd March, starting at 7pm.  Entry will be by ticket, costing just £2, and can be ordered by phoning Nigel Cottrell on 01884 266302

 The ‘Teen Challenge’ team will be leading worship at Sainthill Baptist Church on the following Sunday morning, the 4th of March..

With best wishes to you all

 Roger – Minister Sainthill Baptist Church