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The War Cry | DECEMBER 2014
THE MESSAGE IN MEDIA
"Paper Angels" Spreads Message
U
plifting Entertainment (UPTV, check local listings) will
broadcast encore showings of the original movie, "Paper
Angels," this month. Based on the novel of the same name
and starring Josie Bissett, the movie, which premiered November
16th, features country singer Jimmy Wayne's story about a child in
The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program who encounters Kevin
Morrell, a disillusioned husband
and father whose design and
marketing firm has hit hard times.
When Kevin stumbles across the
Army's Angel Tree Project, his
wife insists that he take a paper
ornament. The name on the
ornament is Thomas Brandt, a
15-year-old still reeling from
the implosion of his family.
Paper Angels is about "family
life and hard times, the hope
of the Christmas holiday and...
the goodness and compassion
of loving hearts."
y
g
o
1
P
l
o
t
o
F
or many struggling with addiction, true
recovery seems light years away, even though
repeated attempts to escape the grips of
alcohol, drugs or even food are sincere.
Karl Benzio, M.D., a psychiatrist and founder of Lighthouse
Network (www.lighthousenetwork.org), an addiction and mental
health counseling helpline, says total recovery from addiction is
possible but involves a spiritual recovery as well as a physical and
psychological one.
"Jesus came to start a behavioral health revolution," Benzio says.
"He came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free... when
Jesus healed the leper, He did so because the man was in despair,
alone and frightened... Jesus knew this, and reached out and touched
him, communicating that the man was loved and that Jesus wanted
to connect with him regardless of his disease. Yes, Jesus healed his
leprosy, but the disease was secondary in importance to the leper's
psychological wounding and healing."
Addictions, Benzio adds, result from the repeated use of
ineffective coping skills to deal with external stress or internal
discomfort. "The Bible tells us in Romans that we can renew our
minds by living in a transformed way. Once we begin making healthy
decisions--godly decisions--our brain chemistry
is re-circuited, re-wired and balanced.
"God designed a spirit, mind and body--a
very intricate design," he continues. "It is not our
environment, as many believe, but our decisions
as we respond to our environment that affect
our brain chemistry. When we use the truths
of the Bible to view our internal and external
world and then respond in a godly way, we
initiate a cascade of events that start healing
and total, lifelong recovery."
For over 100 years The Salvation Army's Adult
Rehabilitation Centers and Harbor Lights programs
have provided spiritual, social and emotional
assistance for men and women who have lost
the ability to cope with their problems and
provide for themselves. Centers offers residential
housing, work and group and individual therapy,
all in a clean, wholesome environment.
Visit salvationarmyusa.org/usn/adult-
rehabilitation for more information.
ADDICTION RECOVERY
Full Recovery From Addiction
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
M
ystery of Divinity, who came to planet earth:
E
mmanuel, Redeeming Love found in a baby's birth;
R
oyal Son Incarnate, all wrapped up in swaddling clothes
R
evealing Truth to set us free, He died and then He rose;
Y
uletide promise, even now His glory grows and glows.
C
aroling choirs around the globe unite to sing His fame,
H
armony and melody still lifting up the Name
R
eclaiming and remembering the reason for this day--
I
saiah's hope, the Prince of Peace, the One to whom we pray,
S
tar of David, Lion of Judah, Soon and Coming King,
T
he Word, the Christ, Emmanuel, the Lord of Everything,
M
essiah, Living Water, Bread of Life --our celebration!
A
lmighty God, the Spotless Lamb, Agape Revelation--
S
avior-song piercing the night--a wise man's adoration.
Donna Austgen Frisinger
lives in Rochester, Indiana.