Thursday, August 4, 2016

Apollo On My Mind (08/04/16)

As part of the monthly R.A.I.D.1 meetings, one of the segments is called “Fifteen Minutes of Learning.” At tonight's meeting held at Apollo Assembly of God Church in Apollo, PA, the Armstrong County Coroner was our guest.

Being careful not to divulge sensitive information, he mentioned one woman who had overdosed on heroin 27 times. I had to write that number down, as it was seemingly incredible and indescribably sad. She overdosed and was “brought back” using Naloxone (a.k.a. Narcan) each time. She died on the 28th overdose. Naloxone couldn't save her that time, as she apparently had built up a resistance.

What a sad account! While it highlights the epidemic of drug abuse and the effectiveness of Naloxone, it also reminds us to appreciate this brief and fragile thing called life. The time to “get things right” is always now. “Later” is not guaranteed. If you or someone you know is battling drug or alcohol addiction, please talk with an addiction recovery specialist. Your life might depend on it!

There is another factor in this story, one that many would prefer I not mention. When that woman died, where did her soul go? Much tender patience went into helping her fight drug abuse. Did anyone tell her about Jesus? Did anyone share the plan of salvation with her?

When you die, where will your soul go? The Bible says that it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Invest in your soul this weekend. Go to church. Talk with the pastor about the Person and work of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can rescue you from spiritual death.

1Residents Against Illicit Drugs, Inc., Apollo, PA

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