One of the many ways to cure an illness is to deconstruct and then construct. That partly explains why most of the drug rehabilitation programs in Hong Kong fail. More than 75% of the ex-addicts pick up illegal drugs again after discharge from the institutions. The reason is simple. Once discharged, these ex-addicts meet their "old friends" again. Their will-power is unable to resist the peer-pressure. Therefore, in order to be more effective, the institutions need to pull down the social network of an addict, build up a new one for them. That explains why among those rehabilitation programs, the Christian ones are more successful. Their inmates are converted to Christianity. Their faith in Jesus strengthens their will-power to resist the temptation of drugs. They belong to a fellowship and do not need to rely on their "old friends" after discharge. Less than 25% of discharged ex-addicts pick up drugs again.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:1-2).
That is why we believe that the Bible contains truths for our salvation.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:1-2).
That is why we believe that the Bible contains truths for our salvation.
Modern education systems forbid corporal punishments. They advocate dealing with school children leniently. There is some truth in such a philosophy, but it is not the whole truth. The same sentiment was expressed by Hosea. He shared the mentality of the Chosen People.
Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth(Hosea 6:3)
The Chosen People expected God to treat them leniently. God would come as the showers, as the spring rains. Alas! God came with wrath and judgment.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light (Hosea 6:4-5).
God hewed, slew and brought down judgment. Surely, we are created with two hands. One of the hands is gentle and the other harsh. Both hands need to work in coordination in order to succeed. As parents, we play both roles: the good guy and the bad guy, the nurturing mother and the law-enforcing father. In our schools, most teachers want to play the good guys only. They want to be loved by their students. Parents even tell lies in order to protect their children from punishment. Their children are the apples of their eyes. Our education officials are afraid of complains. They want to appear good before the public. Our education system fails because the stake holders resent playing the bad guys. Our children would end up in prisons and would not thank us in the future.
Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth(Hosea 6:3)
The Chosen People expected God to treat them leniently. God would come as the showers, as the spring rains. Alas! God came with wrath and judgment.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light (Hosea 6:4-5).
God hewed, slew and brought down judgment. Surely, we are created with two hands. One of the hands is gentle and the other harsh. Both hands need to work in coordination in order to succeed. As parents, we play both roles: the good guy and the bad guy, the nurturing mother and the law-enforcing father. In our schools, most teachers want to play the good guys only. They want to be loved by their students. Parents even tell lies in order to protect their children from punishment. Their children are the apples of their eyes. Our education officials are afraid of complains. They want to appear good before the public. Our education system fails because the stake holders resent playing the bad guys. Our children would end up in prisons and would not thank us in the future.
Dear Lord, give us moral courage to be bad guys for the sake of our future generation. Amen.
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