Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Alcohol: A "No-Brainer" Yes, that’s a fairly new figure of speech, first used by youths, and now a common term describing something so simple that it needs “few smarts” and no more explanation. The news media used that term to describe information that recently surfaced on the subject of the effect of beverage alcohol on the human brain. It has been known for decades that the use of alcohol causes the death of brain cells. Dr. Melvin Knisely, of the Medical College of South Carolina, revealed research done in the 60’s. He wrote: “As many as 10,000 brain cells were destroyed at a time, and the effect of damage was cumulative and significant over a period of drinking.” He also stated that the brain and other organs of those who had been “problem drinkers” were virtually useless for study by medical students. The reason, of course, is that those organs have been so affected by alcohol that they are not truly representative of that organ in others. It is not surprising, therefore, that the American Medical Association released a report on December 9, 2002, stating “youths who drink may risk lasting brain damage, especially when it comes to learning, memory and critical thinking.” That risk comes from just “a few beers,” or less than three drinks, and the report says that the brain of a youth is “particularly susceptible to damage in those years.” The report acknowledges that surveys indicate drinking among young people age 17 and younger is on the upswing virtually every year. Their average age:12! This information is not related to the “binge drinking” phenomenon that has received such attention in recent years. That damage is similarly serious, but this latest report says it doesn’t take a binge to damage the brain. Scientific research says the cause of the damage is: “Centered upon two regions in the brain: the hippocampus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for memory and learning, and the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and reasoning.” The organs appear to “shrink” as a result of alcohol use, and the “damage is permanent.” Coming from the American Medical Association, it indicates the serious nature of the findings, and it also gives considerable credibility to the statements revealing the research. Frequently we hear of those who claim that alcohol can be part of a regimen in which heart disease is kept at bay. This is a popular claim, especially for those who are searching for reinforcement for their alcohol tastes. Usually these claims speak of “a couple of drinks” during the day serving this purpose. Having no credentials as a research scientist myself, I have in my files articles from those who do have those credentials. They are unanimous in their statements that, while there may be some temporary benefit, other means of obtaining the same benefit to an even higher degree are available, none of which contain the obvious negatives of addiction, organ disease, etc. What consequences will come to a generation for which “social drinking” is looked upon with such favor? If the research is correct—and it is in harmony with all we have seen in the last thirty years—we already have some adults whose thinking potential is reduced by 25% because of damage to brain cells. Critical and logical thought capabilities will be permanently diminished, not just by excessive drinking, but by what society today refers to as “social drinking.” No-brainer is an apt description of this state, both figuratively and literally. We cannot afford to grow slack in our opposition to such destruction, not only because the Bible opposes it, but because common sense and medical science denounce it. Carl B. Garner

Have you ever heard anyone suggest the following? Employer: “Give me a drinker every time.” Wife: “My husband would be the best man in the world if he would only drink more beer.” Defendant: “If I had been drunk I would never have committed that crime.” Insurance salesman: “Your rates are lower because you drink.” Doctor: “Your health will be better if you drink more whiskey.” Preacher: “Your influence will be much better if you drink more alcohol.” Newspaper Item: Ellensburg, Washington: “Audrey Kishline, 43, who founded a national organization based on the premise that problem drinkers can learn to limit their alcohol use, was sentenced Friday to 4 1/2 years in prison for killing two people while driving drunk. Kishline pleaded guilty in June to two counts of vehicular homicide. A third charge of hit-and-run driving was dismissed as part of a plea agreeement. Police said Kishline was driving the wrong way down an interstate highway on March 25th on when she smashed head-on into a car. Her blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.”

"Does It Really Make a Difference? (Part 1 of 4 parts) Just turn on the television or radio and you get a good example of what is called “Competitive Advertising.” That is, one product is compared to another – with “ours” always being shown with the advantage. One man buys a Ford, another, a Chevrolet, a third asks, “What difference does it make?” With everything from television sets, to insurance, to boxed tissues, the same attitude is found. People reason, “After all, each one of the products has its good and its bad points; it is just a question of what each person likes.” While the product manufacturers and the ad agencies would argue with that viewpoint, it is still the prevailing view. The same kind of “ho-hum” attitude has permeated the religious world. And this is tragic. Religion was a major force in our society in the early days of this nation. Religion was important, and religious people had real conviction. Public debates on various religious doctrines were common. But that kind of conviction is lacking today. All too often, when discussing a doctrinal matter in the Bible, I get the reply, “What difference does it make anyway? We are all going to the same place.” And most religious people do not really believe that it makes a difference – about dozens of difference doctrinal matters in the word of God. But, friend, it does make a difference. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHAT WE BELIEVE – Most would agree that something must be believed. And most would include belief in God, belief in Jesus Christ and in the saving power of His blood. After all, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus also said to the Jews of His day as He spoke of the prophecies of the Messiah, “Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins,” John 8:24. That kind of teaching offended some Jews then, and it does today. But even if that requirement of faith in Jesus would rule out Jews and Moslems and Hindus, we still must insist: If one does not believe in Jesus as the Christ, he will remain lost. But is that the only requirement of faith, to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God? Turn with me to 1 Kings 13, as we look at the story of the prophet of God who was misled and believed a lie (:18-19). He was honest and sincere, intent on doing the will of God. But he suffered death for his mistake – it mattered what he believed! Because some do not love the truth, God “shall send them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. Jesus declared, “The truth shall make you free,” John 8:32. Nothing else will do it. No matter how firmly believed, error will not save. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be condemned,” Mark 16:15-16. What shall we believe? Jesus answers: “the gospel.” The apostle Paul writes that His gospel is “the power of God unto salvation,” Romans 1:16, and James exhorts, “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls,” James 1:21. The apostle Paul put it in perspective when he said, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17. Faith in Jesus requires that we also believe what He says! It matters what we believe! Clem Thurman, Gospel Minutes Note: Next week, the article will continue the discussion on the importance of the church, the essentiality of baptism. Week three will discuss the importance of how we worship God. It does indeed make a difference!