Today I read in the paper that one of my favorite musicians had died!

They suspect it was a drug overdose! 

Jesus, lately it seems that so many musicians, movie stars and famous people are taking their own lives through the misuse of drugs or alcohol! 

So often, I think that tragedies like this 

                 CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO US, 

                    TO MYSELF, 

                       OR TO MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY! 

But when I look around I see so many people that I know who are experimenting with drugs or alcohol! I must admit that I have even experimented a little! It seems that before I know it, it will be someone close to me whose life will end in a tragic manner! 

WE ALL FEEL THAT WE HAVE THE POWER TO STOP AT ANY TIME! WE DON'T REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN BE CHEMICALLY OR PSYCHOLOGICALLY ADDICTED TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL! WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT DRUGS AND BOOZE CAN KILL!

Jesus, today I invite You to hold me close to You, as I take a good hard look at my own life. Help me, as I search deep within my heart for any possible ways that I may be abusing myself and others. I feel that I, and my friends, might be in trouble!

JESUS , PLEASE BLESS ALL OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE. MAY THESE SAD TRAGEDIES BE A WAKE-UP CALL TO MANY OF US WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THESE SAME POSSIBLE ADDICTIONS.

JESUS, PLEASE GRANT EACH ONE OF US THE COURAGE, STRENGTH AND LOVE OF SELF THAT WE WILL NEED TO SORT OUT OUR PROBLEMS.

MAY WE ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE THE BEST THAT WE CAN BE - TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD.

AMEN