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The alehouse erupted with laughter at the sight of O.B.D. drenched in beer, blinking, shaking droplets from his face, and wiping the stinking stuff from his mouth and chin.
His tormentor laughed along with the crowd, "Don't it smell good, daddy? Ain't beer got a lovely smell to it? You silly, old fool! Why didn't you take it inside [of you] instead of out? Come here, I'll give you another drop. I'll stand you one. You shan't have the shilling, but you shall have the beer."
"I don't want it," O.B.D replied doggedly.
Only someone who has fought with alcohol addiction can understand what a miracle it was for him not to "fall off the wagon" under such intense pressure. The smell of booze alone is enough to set an alcoholic's throat on fire with thirst; to have it on the lips is sheer torture. But such was the magnitude of the miracle that God's grace had wrought in O.B.D. At this juncture, the rest of the lads in the ale house took pity on O.B.D. When they saw his quiet firmness, they "took up a subscription" (collection) for him, and he left the place with his pockets full of money. He also left it a hero.
In the years that followed, O.B.D remained firm, never once touching a drop of liquor. He was a marvel to all that knew him. He saved up enough money so that he was able to go into business for himself. His wife and son joined the Salvation Army, but, unfortunately, due to the physical damage the booze had done to him, O.B.D. was never able to work in the Army. But, in spite of not being able to work full time for his beloved Army, he was still able to reach out to his old associates just by his living example of how God could transform the life of even such as he had been. They knew what he had been, they knew what he had become, and they knew it was God that had made the change. During O.B.D's lifetime in that neighborhood, all the barroom atheists' arguments simply melted away. Every debate ended when some bloke would ask, "Well, what about O.B.D?"
And so we are posed with the same question, "What about O.B.D?" Someone left a comment on my blog asking me if I thought O.B.D's story was relevant to today. Indeed I do. While I chose this story because of it's dramatic nature, the fact is that O.B.D. is only one of many, many people who have been set free instantaneously from addiction by the power of God. My old youth leader was one of those people - a drug pusher and an addict - he's squeaky clean without a craving to this day, and it's been aprx. 20 years since the miracle. Talking with mission workers, they have told me how alcoholics have staggered into the mission and up to the altar where they found that the same God who set O.B.D free could set them free, too - in many cases, while they prayed they became completely sober, even to having the smell of booze vanish from them. Other names come to mind, such as Nicky Cruz, Reginald Arvizu, a.k.a, Fieldy, Brian "Head" Welch, etc., etc.
The question that will be asked naturally is how does one go about tapping into this incredible, transforming power. The answer is both straightforward and complex. On one hand the answer is what it has always been: repentance and faith toward God. On the other hand, that answer is the most profound in the world - a lifetime worth of blogs couldn't plumb its depths. It is also to be wondered that if this power is available, why do so few experience it?
Why, indeed? There are a lot of issues connected to this topic, but I can only comment on the aspects with which I'm most familiar. Working as an inner city pastor, addiction sufferers make up the largest percentage of my small "congregation." I have discovered two facts when counselling these dear folks. Invariably, it is either one, or the other, or both of these facts which are the rock they stumble upon when they ask for help.
1: They are not determined to find God. O.B.D. you may recall said he was "determined" to find God. We live in a world that has become very apathetic toward God, largely due to the fact that we don't really have a healthy fear/respect for Him. We do not fear eternity without Him enough to seek Him until we find Him. God has promised that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. If you cannot find him, you can be certain it is not He Who has failed to keep His side of the bargain. It is a weird, but terrible fact, that addicts may hate their addiction, but they do not hate it as much as they love it, as someone has so wisely stated.
2: They are not willing to fully surrender their life to God. If you want God to fix your broken toy, you must give Him all the pieces. You see, the addict is not merely an addict: he is a sinner, and, in his life, he has other sins beside his addiction - what's more, his addiction is almost always a result of sin... wanton rebellion against God. When we treat the addict as if he only has a sickness, we fall short of the mark. Sick he may be, and sick he is indeed, but his will and the bad choices he makes willfully cannot be left out of the reckoning. (As one alcoholic told me, "I didn't fall off the wagon, I dove off.") An addict, as pitiful as they may be, still has to reach a place where they are willing to live by God's rules in every aspect of their life, not just with regards to booze and dope. The reason for this is that sin in any form separates us from God, and when we are separated from Him, His power is not able to operate in our lives. Therefore, only those who totally surrender their entire sin problem to God can experience freedom from the power of addiction.
As I write this, my mind strays to an article I read recently about addiction amongst the stars and celebrities, and my heart is filled with pity and compassion. The God of O.B.D hasn't changed. What He did for O.B.D, He'll do for anybody. Why not give Him the chance?
Blessings,
Pastor Chelle
Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
O.B.D. 2
In its day, the Salvation Army, or the Sally Ann, as it is affectionately called, has reached countless people with the message of the gospel, and has had the satisfaction of seeing many people experience complete life and soul transformation as a result of their efforts. One of those people was a man known as the Puncher, a notorious prize fighter (bare knuckle) and drunk.
It was the Puncher's idea to have revival meetings in London's East Side - he and other men equally infamous, but now redeemed, decided to have a parade with themselves as the spectacle to lure in the crowds. Since they had been so well-known in their past lives of debauchery, they knew people would take the bait if for no other reason then burning curiosity. You needn't think this was an easy thing for any of them to do. They feared the threat of the mob, and for the safety of their families (in the early days of the Salvation Army, it was as common to take a brick to the head as to see a penitent kneel at the drumhead).
But as the Puncher said, "God has done a lot for us, we oughten't to mind doing a bit for Him."
So, they did it - they paraded through the worst streets of the East Side. The parade drew a crowd to the meeting hall, and in that crowd was O.B.D. and his wife, who had actually already been invited to the meeting by the Angel Adjutant. At the service, those former toughs all gave their testimonies - testimonies of their sinful past lives and how God had miraculously changed them. One of those toughs was a man simply known as Joe, the Criminal, a hardened thief of the first order.
When the service was over, the altar, or penitent form, was crowded with seekers. O.B.D. and his wife were among them. The Angel Adjutant went over to him as he knelt there weeping. All he could say through his tears was, "Oh, I want to be like Joe!"
And he got his prayer answered. He later told the Angel Adjutant, "While I was listening to Joe, thinking of what he's been, and seeing what he's become, all of a sudden it took me that I'd find God and get Him to make me like Joe. It took me like that. I just felt, all of a sudden, determined to find God. Determined! And," he continued, "while I was kneeling, while I was praying, I felt the Spirit of God come upon me. I said, 'Oh, God, make me like Joe!' and while I prayed, I felt the spirit come upon me. I knew I could become like Joe. I know I'm saved."
He was quite emphatic. But, the Adjutant, knowing his condition, how saturated his body was with booze, feared for the stability of his salvation. She was very anxious for him to get work other than the work he did delivering papers to the local pubs and taverns. O.B.D.'s wife, who had also gotten saved that night, was also concerned for her husband. O.B.D, however, proved decidedly stubborn.
"I don't want anything else," he told them, "I must show them that I am converted."
And show them he did. In the weeks ahead, O.B.D stuck to his guns, and whenever the Adjutant asked him if he felt the least bit tempted, he would simply reply, "The appetite has gone."
One Saturday afternoon, O.B.D went to deliver his papers to a very crowded ale-house. One of his old drinking buddies saw him and exclaimed, "Hullo, God strike me dead, if this isn't Old Born Drunk! Come here, daddy; I'll stand you a pot. We'll wet the Salvation Army!" When the pot of ale was brought, he shoved it toward O.B.D., "Here, drink you old----!"
O.B.D shook his head.
"Come, drink it, like a man! What's a pot to you? Gallons is your mark. Drink it!"
"No."
"Look here, daddy; you're poor aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Got the missus and the kid to feed?"
"Yes."
"A bob'd make a lot of difference to you, wouldn't it? See here, daddy; I'll give you a bob straight, I will - ah, honor bright - if you'll drink this pot. Smell it. Smell it, old ----. Ain't it good? Come along, drink it and earn a bob.
"Not me."
"You won't?"
"No."
"Not for a bob?"
"Not for a thousands."
"You mean it?"
"Yes."
"Then have it outside," and with that the mocker threw the whole pot of beer into O.B.D's face.
To be continued...
(Don't you just love me? ;-D )
It was the Puncher's idea to have revival meetings in London's East Side - he and other men equally infamous, but now redeemed, decided to have a parade with themselves as the spectacle to lure in the crowds. Since they had been so well-known in their past lives of debauchery, they knew people would take the bait if for no other reason then burning curiosity. You needn't think this was an easy thing for any of them to do. They feared the threat of the mob, and for the safety of their families (in the early days of the Salvation Army, it was as common to take a brick to the head as to see a penitent kneel at the drumhead).
But as the Puncher said, "God has done a lot for us, we oughten't to mind doing a bit for Him."
So, they did it - they paraded through the worst streets of the East Side. The parade drew a crowd to the meeting hall, and in that crowd was O.B.D. and his wife, who had actually already been invited to the meeting by the Angel Adjutant. At the service, those former toughs all gave their testimonies - testimonies of their sinful past lives and how God had miraculously changed them. One of those toughs was a man simply known as Joe, the Criminal, a hardened thief of the first order.
When the service was over, the altar, or penitent form, was crowded with seekers. O.B.D. and his wife were among them. The Angel Adjutant went over to him as he knelt there weeping. All he could say through his tears was, "Oh, I want to be like Joe!"
And he got his prayer answered. He later told the Angel Adjutant, "While I was listening to Joe, thinking of what he's been, and seeing what he's become, all of a sudden it took me that I'd find God and get Him to make me like Joe. It took me like that. I just felt, all of a sudden, determined to find God. Determined! And," he continued, "while I was kneeling, while I was praying, I felt the Spirit of God come upon me. I said, 'Oh, God, make me like Joe!' and while I prayed, I felt the spirit come upon me. I knew I could become like Joe. I know I'm saved."
He was quite emphatic. But, the Adjutant, knowing his condition, how saturated his body was with booze, feared for the stability of his salvation. She was very anxious for him to get work other than the work he did delivering papers to the local pubs and taverns. O.B.D.'s wife, who had also gotten saved that night, was also concerned for her husband. O.B.D, however, proved decidedly stubborn.
"I don't want anything else," he told them, "I must show them that I am converted."
And show them he did. In the weeks ahead, O.B.D stuck to his guns, and whenever the Adjutant asked him if he felt the least bit tempted, he would simply reply, "The appetite has gone."
One Saturday afternoon, O.B.D went to deliver his papers to a very crowded ale-house. One of his old drinking buddies saw him and exclaimed, "Hullo, God strike me dead, if this isn't Old Born Drunk! Come here, daddy; I'll stand you a pot. We'll wet the Salvation Army!" When the pot of ale was brought, he shoved it toward O.B.D., "Here, drink you old----!"
O.B.D shook his head.
"Come, drink it, like a man! What's a pot to you? Gallons is your mark. Drink it!"
"No."
"Look here, daddy; you're poor aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Got the missus and the kid to feed?"
"Yes."
"A bob'd make a lot of difference to you, wouldn't it? See here, daddy; I'll give you a bob straight, I will - ah, honor bright - if you'll drink this pot. Smell it. Smell it, old ----. Ain't it good? Come along, drink it and earn a bob.
"Not me."
"You won't?"
"No."
"Not for a bob?"
"Not for a thousands."
"You mean it?"
"Yes."
"Then have it outside," and with that the mocker threw the whole pot of beer into O.B.D's face.
To be continued...
(Don't you just love me? ;-D )
Thursday, July 2, 2009
O.B.D.
His name was O.B.D. He had no other name. He lived and died with that name. Old Born Drunk.
In the next blog to two, I would like to share with you the remarkable, true story of Old Born Drunk, a story that appears in a classic book titled, Twice Born Men. It was authored by Harold Begbie; published in 1909. The purpose of the book was to showcase twelve men whose lives had been radically transformed by God's power during the early days of the Salvation Army. My purpose for sharing it on this blog is to offer hope to those artists, celebrities and stars who are struggling with addiction. In some ways, the stars of Hollywood will have nothing in common with O.B.D, but if anybody, regardless of social status, is struggling with addiction, this story will assure them no matter how bad their problem is, there is hope and help in God.
A couple words before we start: in order to avoid garnering glory for any one individual other than God, the entirety of the book Twice Born Men was written using only nom de plums, monikers, and titles of affection. Old Born Drunk was the only exception, because, as I understand it, he had already passed away before the book was published. Secondly, I am rewriting the story in my own words since the original is written in very archaic vocabulary.
Now, let us begin.
General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, had a motto: "Go for sinners, and go for the worst." In keeping with the spirit of that directive, a twenty-four year old girl went to work in London's notorious East Side. Because of her faithful and loving work with the lowest of the low, she became known as the Angel Adjutant. One day someone brought to her attention the man known as O.B.D, and suggested maybe she should try her hand at helping him. She agreed to the suggestion. However, when she actually met O.B.D, she seriously wondered if anything could be done for him.
O.B.D. lived up to his name. He had literally been born drunk. His parents had been hopeless alcoholics, and had taught him to drink from infancy. Perhaps he had what we would term in our society as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and there is a possibility he was partially brain dead, for he had a stupefied, soulless stare that never entirely left him all his days. He stunk beyond description, and his body was misshapen and short. His eyes were horribly swollen to mere slits.
But the Angel Adjutant was a game little lass, and she befriended O.B.D, though she never could be sure if he understood a thing she was saying to him. Finally, one day she made him understand that she wanted to visit his home, and he gave her his address.
To her utter amazement, she discovered that he was not only married, but had a son. More amazingly still was that neither his wife nor his son were alcoholics, though his wife did seem to have some issues - whether mentally or emotionally is undetermined. They lived in unspeakable squallor in a small, one roomed "house" that they rented for seven shillings a week. The room was filled with cats, guinea pigs, dogs, doves, and rabbits - their son's pets, even though he was not at home to enjoy them. In some miraculous way, they had contrived to find and keep him in a good "situation."
Through the kind and patient perseverence of the Angel Adjutant, O.B.D. and his wife began to come to service at the Salvation Army corp, but nothing seemed to be making any impression or to be having any effect on them. Both O.B.D and his wife were convinced that there was no hope for O.B.D, that he could not live without booze. Even the Angel Adjutant's fellow officers in the corp really wondered if perhaps O.B.D. and his wife were beyond help.
But that was before the revival meetings came to London's East side....
To be continued.
In the next blog to two, I would like to share with you the remarkable, true story of Old Born Drunk, a story that appears in a classic book titled, Twice Born Men. It was authored by Harold Begbie; published in 1909. The purpose of the book was to showcase twelve men whose lives had been radically transformed by God's power during the early days of the Salvation Army. My purpose for sharing it on this blog is to offer hope to those artists, celebrities and stars who are struggling with addiction. In some ways, the stars of Hollywood will have nothing in common with O.B.D, but if anybody, regardless of social status, is struggling with addiction, this story will assure them no matter how bad their problem is, there is hope and help in God.
A couple words before we start: in order to avoid garnering glory for any one individual other than God, the entirety of the book Twice Born Men was written using only nom de plums, monikers, and titles of affection. Old Born Drunk was the only exception, because, as I understand it, he had already passed away before the book was published. Secondly, I am rewriting the story in my own words since the original is written in very archaic vocabulary.
Now, let us begin.
General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, had a motto: "Go for sinners, and go for the worst." In keeping with the spirit of that directive, a twenty-four year old girl went to work in London's notorious East Side. Because of her faithful and loving work with the lowest of the low, she became known as the Angel Adjutant. One day someone brought to her attention the man known as O.B.D, and suggested maybe she should try her hand at helping him. She agreed to the suggestion. However, when she actually met O.B.D, she seriously wondered if anything could be done for him.
O.B.D. lived up to his name. He had literally been born drunk. His parents had been hopeless alcoholics, and had taught him to drink from infancy. Perhaps he had what we would term in our society as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and there is a possibility he was partially brain dead, for he had a stupefied, soulless stare that never entirely left him all his days. He stunk beyond description, and his body was misshapen and short. His eyes were horribly swollen to mere slits.
But the Angel Adjutant was a game little lass, and she befriended O.B.D, though she never could be sure if he understood a thing she was saying to him. Finally, one day she made him understand that she wanted to visit his home, and he gave her his address.
To her utter amazement, she discovered that he was not only married, but had a son. More amazingly still was that neither his wife nor his son were alcoholics, though his wife did seem to have some issues - whether mentally or emotionally is undetermined. They lived in unspeakable squallor in a small, one roomed "house" that they rented for seven shillings a week. The room was filled with cats, guinea pigs, dogs, doves, and rabbits - their son's pets, even though he was not at home to enjoy them. In some miraculous way, they had contrived to find and keep him in a good "situation."
Through the kind and patient perseverence of the Angel Adjutant, O.B.D. and his wife began to come to service at the Salvation Army corp, but nothing seemed to be making any impression or to be having any effect on them. Both O.B.D and his wife were convinced that there was no hope for O.B.D, that he could not live without booze. Even the Angel Adjutant's fellow officers in the corp really wondered if perhaps O.B.D. and his wife were beyond help.
But that was before the revival meetings came to London's East side....
To be continued.
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