4th and Goal Commentary - May 4, 2001
Hooked
By Bill McCartney
He'd been down this road before, each time vowing it would be his last.
But, Mark felt hopeless to stop -- that is, ever since he got hooked.
I'm Bill McCartney... It's 4TH and Goal!
By the time Mark pulled into the parking lot, his mind was racing with
excitement. It was the same routine every Tuesday night for as long as
he could remember: wife worked late, kids ate dinner at grandma's, and
he sneaked downtown to the strip clubs. Each week, he arrived, knowing
the shame and remorse he'd feel once it was over.
For months, Mark's wife had suspected something was wrong. Where
he was once warm and loving towards her, he was now cold and unresponsive
to her affection. She noticed he'd become distant and almost uninterested
in her. Then one day, while sorting the dirty laundry, Tammy found
a wadded up napkin with the name of a local Gentlemen's club printed on
it, and her convictions were confirmed.
That Tuesday night, Tammy firmly confronted Mark about his problem.
As he listened to his wife pour out her heart, he realized his marriage
was in jeopardy, and, for the first time in his life, he admitted he needed
serious help. As Mark began reflecting on the condition of his life,
he realized he was well on his way to destroying himself and his family.
He agreed to enroll in the Pure Life Ministries Live-In Program.
It was hard to have Mark away from home for six months, but Tammy could
really tell he was changing, every time they talked. Little-by-little,
he softened and began to experience a change of heart, a newfound gratitude,
and an appreciation for life. In the end, pornography and illicit
sex no longer controlled him. Instead, Mark found himself possessing
what always seemed to elude him: freedom.
May is National Victims of Pornography Month. If you need help
in this area, one place you can turn to is Pure Life Ministries.
Since 1986, they have been leading men into purity. Pure Life Ministries
can be found on the web at www.purelifeministries.org, or you can call
(800) 635-1866.
Mark's life is a testimony that we can live free from the grip of pornography.
I'm Coach Bill McCartney.
Source Material: www.purelifeministries.org
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