Playaa August 5, 2008 Share Playaa Member August 5, 2008 I have a friend. His name is Joe. I used to play Magic (a card game) with him. He was a “problem child†type of guy. Always got in fights, always got bad grades and treated teachers horribly. Was loud and outspoken about his opinions and a lot of times just a mean person to people he didn’t like. I met him when he was 15. He already did drugs and drank all the time and had lost his virginity when he was 13. Grew up in an abusive home in a poor part of Pacific. He had a lot of problems but I always thought he had a good heart underneath and was just acting in the way he was raised to act. I used to take him to Magic tournaments because I wanted him to have a good influence in his life. He even stayed overnight at my mom’s house a couple times in the guest bedroom because we had to leave for a tournament at 4am or something. I once took him to Chicago to go see a professional soccer match. We drove up that morning, watched the game and drove back that night. We spent over 8 hours in the car together just talking. The kid has tons of problems in his life. He isn’t the kind of person who can be open about his feelings though but he told me during that car ride that he really liked me and respected me as a person. Said that I was different than other people he hung out with. I eventually “gave up†on him though because he just got worse in attitude and action. He got meaner and more angry. He was sent to Boys Town to try to “fix his attitude problemsâ€Â. He just called me crying. He was a little hard to understand and seemed hysterical. He told me that he just told his mom he needs to go to rehab. He just got back from the hospital because his heart rate was through the roof. He was basically having a heart attack. They told him to watch his anger tonight or it could kill him. He told me that he was going to try to go to an AA meeting tonight and head to rehab tomorrow. He just wanted to talk to a “positive person†before he headed there. He wanted me to come over and hang out. Eventually he got off the phone saying “I can’t do this talking stuffâ€Â. He was crying the whole time. The kid just turned 17 last week. Pray for him please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher August 5, 2008 Share Preacher Member August 5, 2008 Done and will continue doing so. People just need the Lord, nothing else quenches that thirst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDuke August 5, 2008 Share MrDuke Member August 5, 2008 I was just complaining that I hadn't eaten since 7 a.m. and I'm stopping all operations until I eat. I thought I'd read the forums while I ate. Hunger seems trivial when you see someone truly suffering. I will pray for Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 6, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 6, 2008 He actually sat in a chair in my house tonight in tears telling me that he probably needs religion in his life but that he doesn't believe in the Bible so he doesn't know how to go to church if he doesn't believe. He also admits freely that he's an alcoholic at 17 and doesn't want to be that way his whole life. I told him that he needs to not just change his habits, but he needs to change who he is and he agrees with me. Definitely pray for the kid and pray for me that I say what needs to be said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDuke August 6, 2008 Share MrDuke Member August 6, 2008 If he feels he needs religion in his life, I believe that to be what I call 'the calling'. I think we can all relate to a moment in life where Christ is knocking and you feeling "something"; a thirst for peace, stability and understanding in your mind and in your life. I'm curious as to his skepticism of the Bible. Gently press as to the reasons why. Once you get the reasons down on paper, don't push to explain the possible errors in his thought process, rather, let him know that the answers are in the Book. Let him find out for himself, but offer to help if he needs it. I'm no counselor, but of the few I've asked, most are afraid of the stigma of being a Jesus freak. Others relate to bad experiences they had when they were younger and forced to go to church against their will. Still others don't like to have to "pay into the conspiracy". Regardless, the answers are there, he just needs to read. Like Rev, Aug, Fat and others, I'd have him start with John and start reading. No church, no pressure. Just read it at his leisure. Offer to go out to a coffee bar or something and offer your ear to answer any questions. Continue to be available to spend time with him. Offer to take him to your church when he's ready and maybe even help him find a church he likes by hitting a few other churches in the area. Show him that there different ways to worship, but the key is the personal relationship he has with Christ...not the church. You are ministering to me and others Playaa. I'm happy you are taking someone less fortunate under your wing and rebuilding a broken man. Have him sign up in the forums and ask us his questions if he's up to it. I know everyone here would help support you and Joe. Grace be with you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher August 6, 2008 Share Preacher Member August 6, 2008 (edited) I find that 99.9999% of people who claim to believe the Bible is false have never read it at all or have had very limited exposure to it. I also know that Christianity is displayed much brighter by our hands than our mouths and you being there for him speaks volumes of good press about the Word. I seriously would push you to give him a Bible that is New Living, Contemporary English or if all else fails the Message. Guessing at the typical person his age with those types of difficulties, he probably is not a scholar so understanding what he is reading would be a huge plus. If you do not have the cash for a Bible give me a PM and I'll mail one over to you or we could meet up for a burger since we're so close. Edited August 6, 2008 by Preacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 6, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 6, 2008 He just called me. He's going in to rehab today. It's going to take about 90 days. Hopefully he'll get help in there. I'm sure it will work much better for him since he's the one who wanted to go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xterminator August 11, 2008 Share Xterminator Member August 11, 2008 Playaa i'm happy your friend has realized his current path is destructive rather than constructive. I'm sure he'll get through this will friends like you and he'll emerge out from the other side a whole new and better person....he's in my prayers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 11, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 11, 2008 Keep praying for him. He's out of rehab because he "got sick of the little b**ches in there". He did turn down an invite to a free kegger and spent the evening playing games instead. Not sure how long he can do that though as he's a very active person and gets bored easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutters August 11, 2008 Share stutters GC Alumni August 11, 2008 socially active or physically active (or both)? maybe we can brainstorm some other ways to keep him busy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 11, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 11, 2008 Both actually. The problem with finding other things for him to do is that he has no license or car (and there is no viable public transport system in the country where we live). His choices are basically to sit at home and play on the internet (something he doesn't like to do) or go walk around this little redneck town where the teenagers have nothing to do but drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaftiel August 11, 2008 Share shaftiel Member August 11, 2008 He should move. Hop on a greyhound and travel somewhere. Back pack across America, explore the world. Best time to do that is when you are young with no strings attached to you. He could travel to the eastern seaboard and do a couple of odd jobs for a week or two, buy a plane ticket to Europe and see the world. That should keep him busy. Shaftiel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutters August 11, 2008 Share stutters GC Alumni August 11, 2008 He should move. Hop on a greyhound and travel somewhere. Back pack across America, explore the world. Best time to do that is when you are young with no strings attached to you. He could travel to the eastern seaboard and do a couple of odd jobs for a week or two, buy a plane ticket to Europe and see the world. That should keep him busy. Shaftiel +1 except, maybe not a greyhound bus with that whole decapitation thing and all. how about an amtrak? or hobo it across on freight trains! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk August 11, 2008 Share mohawk Member August 11, 2008 we should create a nationwide scavenger hunt for him.. find/see different things.. get things from us, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 12, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 12, 2008 17 guys. He's 17. Didn't graduate high school. Doesn't have a GED. Never had a job. Has negative amounts of money. You want to send him money I'm sure he'd be appreciative. You want to set up a nationwide scavenger hunt and help him find places to stay that are cheap-as-free, you'd have a new best friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demoner August 12, 2008 Share Demoner Member August 12, 2008 He should get a part time job then good way to fill his time instead of drinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutters August 12, 2008 Share stutters GC Alumni August 12, 2008 http://www.coolworks.com/glacier-national-park-jobs/ set a goal of working enough this winter to afford to move there next fall. if he's physically active, good chance he'll get hooked and head somewhere else next. then somewhere else, and on, and on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 13, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 13, 2008 Well, he ran away from home last night. I haven't heard from him at all. Apparently he wouldn't get off the computer when his probation officer showed up for a meeting so his mom turned it off. He got tinkled off and left after taking some money and they haven't heard from him since. I have no way to contact him except through his mothers cell phone so I don't know where he is either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher August 13, 2008 Share Preacher Member August 13, 2008 This situation is pretty familliar to me, he needs something like the Army to get him on track. The structure and discipline is the only thing that will help him make sense of the world around him. I prayed for his safety and that he'll find peace. God shaped hole and all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playaa August 13, 2008 Author Share Playaa Member August 13, 2008 I've already suggested that to him. Structure and discipline are the last two things he wants in life though they are probably two things he needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clueless August 13, 2008 Share Clueless GC Alumni August 13, 2008 Not being the religious type, I usually don't post in here but I just wanted to tell you Playaa...it's a great thing you have done by giving alot of yourself to try and help this guy, it takes alot of energy to do so. I hope you don't take any guilt unto yourself if he never comes around...some people you just cant help, no matter how hard you try...they need to find their own way I guess, sometimes the hard way. I just hope that it all works out for him eventually and you can rest knowing that you did all you could. The world could use more people like you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher August 13, 2008 Share Preacher Member August 13, 2008 agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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