Stephan will be off probation in a month. Its been a year! We've discussed his failed drug tests with the probation officer. They talk rehab, but don't press it. Stephan personally knows several kids who have been and out of rehab like walking through a revolving door! That's no comfort to me as he laughs about it. His "friends" don't take it seriously either.
Since we found out about the Black Magic he had been smoking we have decided that after probation, he needs to find himself in another atmosphere of encouragement, accountability and partnership. I had mentioned Celebrate Recovery before, and after Richard and I talked it over again we think this is where he needs to be. The question is: Is this where Stephan thinks he needs to be? After talking it over with the director and a few others who have been through the program, the answer for us is this is where he needs to be and at his age... we decide where he needs to be. He didn't want to go... but he went the first night. Richard will be going through the book with him at home as well for added help. We were told that if we can get him to come, that a few visits may allow Stephan to see that this "is" where he needs to be. He will receive love, not judgement. He will receive encouragement, not condemnation. He will find true love through Christ and forgiveness.. and a sense of worth and purpose in this world. I am praying that Stephan will get so much from this. We have to try everything we can before he's out of our home... He needs Christ... He will not get Christ at Rehab, or counseling. We tried counseling... Now, counseling may work great for some, but in our case.. it didn't. Stephan didn't like the guy and wouldn't go back to see someone else. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ Centered group similar to AA, but Christian...
What is Celebrate Recovery?
"Celebrate Recovery was founded in 1991 by Pastor John Baker of Saddleback Church with the goal of overcoming habits like sex disorders and drug addictions with a twelve-step program based on Christian principles. Other churches and some prisons implemented the program, and as of March 2004 more than 150,000 people are said to have participated. At the Faith-Based and Community Initiative Conference in 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush praised Celebrate Recovery as being able to "change hearts" where government cannot.
Although Celebrate Recovery meetings are similar to those of other twelve-step programs, one difference is in their focus on Christianity. The program stresses that there is no other Higher Power except for Jesus, as opposed to groups like Alcoholics Anonymous which encourage members to choose their own concept of a Higher Power. Another difference is that Celebrate Recovery does not require one to conform to a singleness of purpose declaration, a member does not have to qualify oneself as an alcoholic, addict, or gambler—there are no requirements for membership. You may attend with a desire to work the steps for healing with any number of "hurts, hang-ups or habits" (compulsive behaviors)."
Lord, please use this to speak to Stephan. Help him to see that you are love and that he is loved. Help him to seek after you with his whole heart. Help him to find you... May he be embrased by You through those who seek to help him. Help him to begin to want to help himself. It's only until then that he will recieve help at all... In Jesus Name, Amen...
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Black Magic
Since my last post we have come to a heart-wrenching discovery. For a few weeks I have smelled this smoky, weird smell on Stephan at times. He smokes cigarettes, in which I have said before, "that this seems to be the least of our worries right now!" Of course, I want him to stop and as any mother would do, I have told him all the risks, all the side effects and health hazards...
But... he still commits to smoke.
When I asked him about the funny smell, he said that he had changed brands of cigarettes. I guess you can call it women's intuition... or "mothers" intuition... None the less, this "intuition" of sorts was leading me to believe that he was lying! I told Richard and it just so happened that Stephan was outside smoking, so Richard went out to see if he could see anything or.. smell anything. He was caught red-handed.
The next hour or so consisted of Richard searching his room and "lecturing" him! At least that's what Stephan calls it anyway... Lecturing in our book consists of speaking of his life and the consequences of his actions on himself and his health. Richard reminds him of his relationship with Christ and how the enemy works and is seeking to destroy him, ETC...! Anyway, as all the "lecturing" was taking place, I was in my usual spot, which is sitting at the top of the stairs listening in. I'm a nosey mom.. When it was over, I came down to the PC and looked up this "Black Magic Enemy" that has taken hold of my child.
This is an article that I found: "Seemingly perfectly legal and clearly marked as “Herbal Incense" 18+ and not for human consumption, people are getting high off smoking Black Magic Smoke.
Marketed all over the internet as a natural blend of ingredients such as Damiana, Blue Lotus, Passion Flower, Baybean, Lemon Grass, Dwarf Skull Cap, Indian Pennyworth, Marshmallow and Pink Lotus; Black Magic Smoke is widely suspected as being treated with a synthetic THC. Like marijuana, Black Magic Smoke is reportedly being smoked by all ages and backgrounds. Easily obtained in local ‘head shops’, it is especially popular with the young high school age group. Also, because it does not show up on traditional drug screening tests, Black Magic Smoke has gained popularity with people on parole, in the military and even professionals wanting to get high without the risk of getting caught.
Although Black Magic Smoke is considered legal in most states several have started combating this legal high with legislation banning the substance."
Another Article: "Sold under names like Supernova, Spice, Genie, Zohai, and Spirit, the incense is even sold by the gram, just like marijuana. Blends of K2 include Blonde, Citron, Summit, and Standard, just to name a few kinds.
Is There Any Harm in Smoking K2?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes the effects of marijuana on the brain in the NIDA website article, "NIDA Info Facts: Marijuana" (no author, 7/09). "... marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory."
Marijuana increases the heart rate and irritates the lungs in much the same way as tobacco use causes respiratory problems for smokers. Marijuana may also affect mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia.
K2 is stronger and more dangerous than marijuana. The drug moves quickly from the lungs into the bloodstream where it is carried to other parts of the body, including the vital organs."
I was mortified! I e-mailed Stephan several sites that I had found, warning him of the risks!
I just don't understand.... I just don't understand..... I don't understand why he continues this path? I know it's sin and a sin that he struggles with... I wish he would turn from it. I wish he would with all my heart
My heart was broken all over again and the hopelessness and helplessness returned.
I sat at the top of the stairs just looking at the floor below thinking that we can talk, lecture, whatever you want to call it, but the cold, hard truth is: It's something he has to change and as much as I want to take this burden from him.. I can't! Only God can if Stephan surrendered his life to Him.
My heart was flooded with emotion and questions: When will he surrender? Is this a teen- phase he is going through? Will he make awesome decisions in a few years when he "grows up?" Does he need rehab? Will this lead him down a darker path? Will he eventually learn from what is going on now, or will it "take" a darker path to force him to look up to God, who is his only help? When will this end? Will he wind up in Jail? I know that God has a plan for his life. When will this plan start unfolding? Is it unfolding now and I just can't see it? Gracious... I just want my son well.
I am laying him at the altar. God, he's yours... My trust is in You. I am powerless, You are powerful! I am nothing, You are everything. You know the plans you have for my son, plans to prosper him, not to harm him, plans to give him hope and a future... Jeremiah 29:11. God I claim your promises! Help me to be the mother he needs me to be! Forgive me in my own failures as a child of Yours. Help me, comfort me, guide me... I need you desperately. Stephan needs you desperately. God, lead Richard as Stephan's father. Give him wisdom in how to handle situations as they occur. Direct his heart.. Help us both to parent him as you parent us... Help us to love him as you love us... I love you God from the depth of my soul...
Amen
But... he still commits to smoke.
When I asked him about the funny smell, he said that he had changed brands of cigarettes. I guess you can call it women's intuition... or "mothers" intuition... None the less, this "intuition" of sorts was leading me to believe that he was lying! I told Richard and it just so happened that Stephan was outside smoking, so Richard went out to see if he could see anything or.. smell anything. He was caught red-handed.
The next hour or so consisted of Richard searching his room and "lecturing" him! At least that's what Stephan calls it anyway... Lecturing in our book consists of speaking of his life and the consequences of his actions on himself and his health. Richard reminds him of his relationship with Christ and how the enemy works and is seeking to destroy him, ETC...! Anyway, as all the "lecturing" was taking place, I was in my usual spot, which is sitting at the top of the stairs listening in. I'm a nosey mom.. When it was over, I came down to the PC and looked up this "Black Magic Enemy" that has taken hold of my child.
This is an article that I found: "Seemingly perfectly legal and clearly marked as “Herbal Incense" 18+ and not for human consumption, people are getting high off smoking Black Magic Smoke.
Marketed all over the internet as a natural blend of ingredients such as Damiana, Blue Lotus, Passion Flower, Baybean, Lemon Grass, Dwarf Skull Cap, Indian Pennyworth, Marshmallow and Pink Lotus; Black Magic Smoke is widely suspected as being treated with a synthetic THC. Like marijuana, Black Magic Smoke is reportedly being smoked by all ages and backgrounds. Easily obtained in local ‘head shops’, it is especially popular with the young high school age group. Also, because it does not show up on traditional drug screening tests, Black Magic Smoke has gained popularity with people on parole, in the military and even professionals wanting to get high without the risk of getting caught.
Although Black Magic Smoke is considered legal in most states several have started combating this legal high with legislation banning the substance."
Another Article: "Sold under names like Supernova, Spice, Genie, Zohai, and Spirit, the incense is even sold by the gram, just like marijuana. Blends of K2 include Blonde, Citron, Summit, and Standard, just to name a few kinds.
Is There Any Harm in Smoking K2?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes the effects of marijuana on the brain in the NIDA website article, "NIDA Info Facts: Marijuana" (no author, 7/09). "... marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory."
Marijuana increases the heart rate and irritates the lungs in much the same way as tobacco use causes respiratory problems for smokers. Marijuana may also affect mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia.
K2 is stronger and more dangerous than marijuana. The drug moves quickly from the lungs into the bloodstream where it is carried to other parts of the body, including the vital organs."
I was mortified! I e-mailed Stephan several sites that I had found, warning him of the risks!
I just don't understand.... I just don't understand..... I don't understand why he continues this path? I know it's sin and a sin that he struggles with... I wish he would turn from it. I wish he would with all my heart
My heart was broken all over again and the hopelessness and helplessness returned.
I sat at the top of the stairs just looking at the floor below thinking that we can talk, lecture, whatever you want to call it, but the cold, hard truth is: It's something he has to change and as much as I want to take this burden from him.. I can't! Only God can if Stephan surrendered his life to Him.
My heart was flooded with emotion and questions: When will he surrender? Is this a teen- phase he is going through? Will he make awesome decisions in a few years when he "grows up?" Does he need rehab? Will this lead him down a darker path? Will he eventually learn from what is going on now, or will it "take" a darker path to force him to look up to God, who is his only help? When will this end? Will he wind up in Jail? I know that God has a plan for his life. When will this plan start unfolding? Is it unfolding now and I just can't see it? Gracious... I just want my son well.
I am laying him at the altar. God, he's yours... My trust is in You. I am powerless, You are powerful! I am nothing, You are everything. You know the plans you have for my son, plans to prosper him, not to harm him, plans to give him hope and a future... Jeremiah 29:11. God I claim your promises! Help me to be the mother he needs me to be! Forgive me in my own failures as a child of Yours. Help me, comfort me, guide me... I need you desperately. Stephan needs you desperately. God, lead Richard as Stephan's father. Give him wisdom in how to handle situations as they occur. Direct his heart.. Help us both to parent him as you parent us... Help us to love him as you love us... I love you God from the depth of my soul...
Amen
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