Can You Help A Junkie, Brother? (by Jack Exum Sr.)

(This article was first written and published in the Gospel Advocate April 23, 1970)
The day of drugs is with us. We may not like it or even know it, but it is here anyway. Only a small minority are “hooked” but the overwhelming majority of teenagers will be exposed to it, one way or another before long. (I guess dad was a ‘prophet’) All signs point to a banner year for illicit use of drugs in 1970. Some authorities estimate that 20-million Americans have tried some form of drugs and just how much of this “iceberg” has surfaced, no one really knows.

Drugs come in various colors and sizes but three basic kinds. There are stimulants (Benzedrine, Dexedrine Methedrine). The misuse of these drugs has produced the slang terms “pep-pills,” “Bennies,” and “speed.” Then there are the hard narcotics, heroin, morphine, paregoric and codeine. These are pain killing drugs made from opium. Several synthetic drugs such as demerol and dolophine, are also classed as narcotics. Cocaine made from cocoa leaves, and marijuana are classified legally but not chemically as narcotic drugs. The comes LSD, a powerful man made chemical, lysergic acid diethylamide. The power of LSD is seen in the fact that a single ounce is enough to provide 300,000 average size doses. Legally classified a hallucinogen – a mind affecting drug. LSD is noted mainly for producing strong and bizarre mental reactions in people, often producing what is commonly called “a bad trip.”

The primary appeal of all drugs is to those whose burdens seem overwhelming, problems insoluble and whose lives generally are in difficulty. Addicts often come from broken homes. Children of alcoholic parents are often found “hooked” on drugs. Mothers and dads who are extremely permissive and indulgent seem to produce the best candidates for the “freak-heads who “cop out” on drugs.

Recently, it was the writers privilege to interview numerous inmates in one of our federal dope addiction centers. The respondents seemed all too glad to speak freely of their slavery in the hope that their example might be a grave warning to others. As one put it, “If just one is helped, it will be worth the effort.” Most of those interviewed had tried all kinds of drugs, yet all were confirmed heroine addicts. Here are some of their words of advice…

“DON’T DO IT!” These three words were repeated again and again – over and over in response to the question, “WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A YOUNGSTER WHO WAS ABOUT TO EXPERIMENT WITH DRUGS?” One young man continued, “DRUGS BECOME THE VERY CENTER OF YOUR LIFE. YOU LOOSE INTEREST IN SCHOOL, WORK, HOME AND EVEN SEX. WHEN YOU ARE ‘HOOKED,’ YOU COULD CARE LESS. WHEN YOU NEED A ‘FIX’ THERE IS NOTHING YOU WILL NOT DO AND NOONE YOU WILL NOT USE TO GET IT. YOU KNOW, YOU BECOME A KIND OF ZOMBIE, BELONGING NOWHERE, JUST EXISTING EACH DAY FOR YOUR HABIT. WHEN YOU DRIFT TO ANOTHER TOWN, YOUR FIRST INTEREST IS TO FIND A ‘PUSHER OR DEALER.’ IN THE RIGHT KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD YOU CAN JUST ASK MOST ANYONE ON THE STREET ‘CAN YOU HELP A BROTHER OUT?’ IF HE DEALS HE CAN SELL IT TO YOU RIGHT ON THE SPOT. YOU CAN COOK AND SHOOT IT ALMOST ANYWHERE. IN A BIG CITY, THERE IS JUST SO MANY OF YOU THAT YOU TEND TO GET LOST IN THE CROWD, AND NO ONE REALLY CARE ANYWAY. YOU CAN BUY A ‘PIECE,’ A ‘BAG,’ OR A ‘BUNDLE.’ A BUNDLE GENERALLY CONSISTS OF TEN BAGS THE MAFIA SETS THE PRICE, GENERALLY (OR THE CARTEL NOW.) THE AVERAGE HEROINE HABIT COSTS ABOUT ONE HUNDERED DOLLARS A DAY, SOME MORE, SOME LESS. THOSE WHO DO NOT DEAL GENERALLY STEAL OR PROSTITUTE OR HAVE TO PANHANDLE TO GET THEIR MONEY TOGETHER. JAIL ALWAYS MEANS ONE THING TO AN ADICT – ‘COLD-TURKEY,’ WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT THE AIDS OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS. IT IS HELL ON EARTH. NOTHING AND NO ONE CAN DESCRIBE IT. YOU SWEAT, SHAKE, GET CHILLS, HAVE NAUSEA, SUFFER ACUTE DIARRHEA AND GENERALLY SUFFER SHARP ABDOMINAL AND LEG CRAMPS. FOUR OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE AND A COUPLE HAVE DIED FROM AN O.D. (OVER DOSE). PLEASE TELL THEM, TELL THEM ALL – DON’T DO IT – DON’T START IT. IT IS NO GOOD. NO GOOD AT ALL. YOU END UP BAD, EVERY TIME. EVERYONE ALWAYS THINKS HA IS GOING TO BE THE EXCEPTION. WE ARE ALL FOOLS — THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.”

To listen to one after the other tell of broken lives, broken grades, broken ambitions, broken homes, broken convictions; to see the empty foreign glaze in their eyes; to watch them wander aimlessly through the halls and wonder how to put life back together, or whether it was really worth putting together; to hear them moan and groan and see the tearsment o fall did something to me. IT CONVINCED ME THAT MOST “JUNKIES” WOULD HAVE NEVER STARTED ON JUNK HAD THEY BEEM FULLY INFORMED. Ignorance concerning drugs is the real enemy. If enough of us “will get involved” or “hooked” on the idea of telling the truth about drugs – now – of laying a solid foundation of straight information at the feet of this generation, I believe the overwhelming majority will make the right choice.

Get involved

Get informed

Get information

Get busy, (starting at home) giving answers to questions, even when they are not asked, concerning a major threat that hangs over this nation today.

For a beginner, write U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare and ask for a public health service publication Nos. 1827, 1828, 1829, and 1830.

————————————————————————————————————————-
So what do you think? Was dad a ‘prophet?’ In the Biblical since, Nah. Has the use of drugs gotten worse? Yes! Do you know anyone who has suffered from this plague? I would bet you (if I were a betting man) everyone who reads this would admit to the affirmative, including this writer.
————————————————————————————————————————–

Share Button

Coffee time at Common Man

I love, perhaps too much, coffee with a snack. Bad news for diabetics. What makes it more enjoyable is the fellowship of getting together with a few brethren. This is what we do Monday morning for about an hour. This morning, Billy (pushing 80) was sharing ow his wife passed away five years ago, but he has been busy sharing the Gospel of Jesus with any who will listen. Recently returned from his trip to Ghana, he was sharing how the people are receiving the good news. It was amazing listening to him, even thrilling.

The idea of growing old(er) “ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.” What’s this got to do with Billy? Well, so many times we seniors get the feeling of uselessness. Memories sometimes do not help since they can make you feel ‘life has passed you up,’ ‘your time is past.’ It shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be that way.

Billy said his goal is heaven, and he looks forward to the next adventure! So what is making life an “adventure” for you? What makes you look forward to getting up in the morning?

Depression, the feeling of having no purpose, uselessness… should not be the feeling for senior Christians. Speaking for myself, I have and sometimes do have those feelings. Maybe you can commiserate on this a bit.

Billy quoted 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all those who have set their affection on his appearing.”

‘Mindset,’ is important, not looking and living in the past, over which one has no control. Looking forward, pressing on, and as Hodge said, “I’m heaven bound!” We have to have a purpose in life, a reason to go on, something that makes this life a daily adventure. So what can take the place of living for and sharing the good news of Jesus.

Somewhere along the line I lost this, but “it ain’t over yet!” Still ticking here, and determined to practice what I’m writing about. How? By being with brethren that “charge my spiritual battery,” spend time in prayer, Scriptures, and writing to encourage other Christians. Feels good.
Smile! Exercise, push to get going and break old habits. Easy? No, since it is easy to fall into the rut of doing nothing!

Beware “idle mind is devils workshop.” More true than not.

So, let’s encourage each other since the days are getting hard! Grow in grace!

Share Button

Lessons From The Beaver

BEAVER – “A large semi-aquatic broad-tailed rodent that is native to North America and Northern Eurasia. It is noted for its habit of gnawing through tree trunks to fell the trees in order to feed on the bark and build dams.” “Beaver” can also be used to refer to “hard work.” For example: “Bridget beavered away to keep things running smoothly.”
What do they do for ‘us humans?’ “They store water and improve hydro-logic conditions. They increase water storage on the surface as ponds are created and increased in size. This water filters down into the water table and recharges the ground water too.” (https://kingcounty.gov/environment).

Well, last year was my first encounter of this ‘third kind,’ and at first my wife and I were thinking “how cute!” When the lake froze of course we couldn’t see the beavers that much, but then came the springtime and the thaw along with the flooding of streams… and it flooded. The water came under the road and through the conduit so fast that it washed out the beaver’s efforts, which damage the neighbor’s dock.

Fast forward… the neighbor replaced his dock, and now preparing for the wintertime, the beaver started up again building its dam. This time it is a little further down towards the neighbor’s new dock. He is not pleased. Well, we had a sunny day, and I dawned my fishing rubber waders and into the lake I went, and with my four pronged digger proceeded to do some damage to the dam. I quickly learned respect for the beaver’s building abilities. Pulling away some unbelievably big branches , sticks, a 2X4X8, mud-packed roots and vegetation, stones, twigs, and all this on top of a base I have yet to figure out.

I was and am amazed at this beaver’s instinctive abilities at providing a home and a dam to provide an area for swimming and feeding for its family. Now I forgot to mention the huge home this beaver provided for its female of the species, and for the children. (Just a passing thought, I also learned that this thing seems to be a “one female for life beaver.” He is also the beaver of the ‘house.’ She seems to just be content with raising and feeding and caring for the little ones.)

Back to the dam! Ok, so I pulled, tugged, slipped, tossed and threw all kinds of stuff which Mr. B., had used to build this thing and got 6 feet of the pretty clear. WATER WAS POURING THROUGH. I was proud of myself. Took pictures. Bragged a bit on Facebook. (Big mistake!) Then someone wrote back saying, “It will be built back by tomorrow.” (“Never a discouraging word!)

I looked the next day and THE BEAVER HAD NOT WASTED TIME. (Another lesson learned!) “See something that needs done… get to it.” Another lesson, “If you don’t know where to begin… just start where you are, and some order will come.” The dam was completely repaired and the dam complete! ONE NIGHT!

Anyway… I “put up the white flag,” and I left the dam, determined to learn more lessons from this animal! For example, just because you run up against opposition and hardships caused by others… don’t give up! Yes, I am amazed at “Mr. B.”

I am more amazed at God’s creation. “In the beginning God created… and He saw it was good.” Genesis 1.
Let me know of lessons you learned form animals which you want to share.

Grow in grace friends.

Share Button

Getting Ready For Winter

How to get ready for winter in the New Hampshire? Usually we average in the neighborhood of 71 inches, and Mount Washington receives 23 feet of the white stuff, along with the very high winds. What about the temperatures? In a word, COLD! With highs in low 40’s and lows from 17 above zero to 10 below zero. The first snowfall is exciting and pretty… but from there on… it is a chore.

Basically, everything has to be prepared for winter.
Here is a brief list:
1. Water lines have to have a heating wrap with insulation
2. Tires have to be All Season tires. Tires with studs or chains are not unusual but usually good tires are enough. However, a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle is almost essential when off the main drag.
3. Get out all the winter coats and long johns and put your spring and summer stuff away.
4. Check the roof to be ready for the snow and freezing. Ice cycles are dangerous when they hang from the roof. So, get out your roof rakes and be ready to use them.
5. No car port? No problem. Just get out in the morning and get your snow shovel out and begin.
6. Lawnmowers and other gas driven machines have to be drained and winterized (we call it “pickling.”)
7. Get out your battery chargers and be ready to use them for the sub zero weather. Usually use them overnight on trickle charge setting.
8. Stock up on Gas and additive to keep it good. (Have some for your car/truck as well because today’s “gas” tends to develop water in the tank.)
9. By the way, if you get caught in a winter storm while out driving, it can really be a “pain” so put blankets, AC/DC (not the heavy metal band) adapter in your emergency pack. Got to stay warm so a sleeping bag will help, along with flares, etc…
10. Your screened in three season porch? Well you need to put heavy clear tarp on the screen or the porch is unusable for five months. A porch with this type protection can be heated. (So get out your heaters.)
11. Store all yard furniture or cover with tarp.
12. Get SALT or ICE MELT for obvious reasons…
13. Hmm, I seem to have run out of things… but PREPARATION and FORE THOUGHT are critical because winter in the Northeast… is different.

By the way, if you think of preaching up here, be ready to stay more than the usual two-three years. It takes a while to gain people’s trust and friendship. Aim for a minimum of five to ten years… After that, you might even like it. Springtime is marvelous, summer is hot, fall is so beautiful (at least until all the leaves fall).

Grow in grace friends…

Share Button

One Day At A Time At 73

Dr. Marshall L. Cook wrote the book “Growing old Isn’t for sissies.” How true is this?! Looking back, I can remember thinking that 70 is OLD, but now here I am at 73, and I am having to re-think some things. I don’t know how you feel, but now I am thinking that maybe 80 plus is “old.” Maybe a good idea just to think of age as “just a number.” Things I have learned along the way…
1. Don’t put ANYTHING into writing before you reach 60. Why? Because “things change!” Opinions change, meanings of words change, most of all, I change. When I was a ‘young’ preacher, I thought I had all the answers. I was a ‘hell-fire and damnation’ type preacher. I pity the small congregations that had to put up with this ‘up-start’ preacher who thought he knew it all.
2. Don’t be afraid to change. Things are changing. You change, I change, we all change. Now the Word does not change, but our understanding of it changes (Lord willing) is we keep studying and pray the Spirit of Truth will guide us, soften our hearts as we surrender our lives daily. Things that can change us:
Love
Grace
Mercy
Forgiveness
Patience
All because of a Person, Jesus. He changes us if we are willing.
3. Put your family ahead of being a preacher. Never offer your family on the ‘church alter.’ Why loose your family to preach? You may say, “Church comes first!” Well, I disagree. Jesus first, Others (including family) second, Yourself last. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn.
Using Dr. Wests “B.E.S.T.” plan is very helpful for family…
B – Bless your wife and never allow any one (church members included) to put your wife down in your presence.
E – Edify your wife no matter what. We love to hear words of encouragement… but then so does your wife and kids.
S – Share your feelings, hurts, concerns, with your wife. Mark Gungor(?) has excellent videos for family seminars. He is very funny but straight forward in presenting and dealing with family and personal issues.
T – Touch your wife. A touchless marriage is a troubled marriage. Having seen marriages where things got so bad that the wife refused to be touched, the husband had to work very hard and consistently with the B.the E and the S., before getting to the T.
4. Seek help and be accountable is you need it! (Consider Celebrate Recovery).
5. Read and devour James S. Woodruff’s book “Sayings that saved my sanity”.This is manditory in my opinion for Christians in general. I won’t spoil it for you, so get this book! It is good. The title itself should appeal to church leaders.
6.Don’t forget your prayer-life and relationship with Jesus! So important.

You are encouraged to respond with your thoughts in this if you wish. Perhaps you can add something that will help someone else.

Thank you for reading, God bless you, Grow in grace!

Share Button

Back In Business 2022

Well, something is different! My web builder has been working on this site to make some repairs to ‘broken stuff.’ At first it was thought to be a hack, but later was discovered t be internal problem. It’s technical for sure, so I don’t fully understand it. Just glad to have Earle (Earl’s help desk.com) to work on it. It is a huge (in my estimation) site, and so when something gets out of whack, it creates a domino effect… headache! Again I want to recommend
EarlsHelpDesk.com | Remote Access Computer Services. I highly recommend his help as one who is not only good at fixing computer problems, but also an author (check out his web site!)

All this being said, we will be continuing our writing on unfinished series, (Book of John), adding more photos of the Exum family, answering your messages on the site, and adding other things I have been thinking about lately… We hope you will be reading and responding.

Thank you for your patience. Looking forward to

Share Button

RUDY (aka Rudimous)

Rudy, a cute little Chihuahua of dubious mixed blood, passed away on the same date that my brother Bob Exum passed on. January 25, 2022 was a hard day, as Rudy’s health had been going down. He was diabetic, needing insulin (morning and evening), heart trouble for which he was given 1/2 of a heart tablet per day, he was for the most part blind due to cataracts, he had arthritis as well. He was almost 15 years old. In human terms, he should have been in a nursing home for dogs I guess.
He enjoyed going for a walk, but lately it has been too cold and snowy. It was a chore in some ways to care for him, but all because we loved him. He would follow me wherever I went, much like he did with Bob. I wish we had him for a longer time, because he was company. A real ‘lap-dog.’
So, here’s to our last of four pets we had. Little Bit, Miss Precious. Molly, and Rudy… All gone now.

Share Button

Our “Miss Precious” Is Gone

Miss Precious

Miss Precious (Mom and Dad’s poodle) lived for 16 years… She will always be in our family’s memory.
Passed away May 2018.

It has been a day now since she was gently put to sleep. Tears were shed and “good-byes” said to a sweet little Toy Poodle that had lived and been loved for 16 people years (80 doggy years). This means she almost lived as long as Dad did (he lived 81 years.)
Mom and Dad were feeling something was missing in their lives and so they went “dog hunting,” and they found a playful snow white little poodle. Of course Mom said “She was “just precious.” The name “Miss Precious” stuck, and they brought her home to their place in the Eastside Village in Lake City, Florida. Miss Precious was playful, spoiled, picky and quite feminine in her doggy ways. She slept with mom and dad each night, and had to be fed at a certain time of the day. She was indeed a one owner dog, and when left alone after Mom and dad passed, she changed, her world changed. For a short time she and Molly (their cat) stayed in Mom and Dads house until Wiwik and I adopted them both into our family. “Molly,” is still with us, and sweet as ever. Both Miss Precious and Molly were “greeted” by our own dog (a Weenie dog) named Little bit. Later came “Rudy” (Bob’s dog). It just seemed that we were the ones who ended up with animals left behind. Our family changed for sure.
Miss Precious was never really a “fighter.” We had to do her fighting for her, and eventually Little bit accepted her as part of the family.
So from 2010 till 2018 we were blessed with this sweet little Poodle. Eventually she was afflicted with spasms like epilepsy, and with tears we had to put her down. The picture above is her last picture. Sorry about this being such a short article, but memories of her last days are just painful. I will see if Dad has something he wrote about her.
I guess one must accept what comes our way when it comes to pets.
God is Good!
Grow in grace!

Share Button