At the risk of being misunderstood (or worse, a repeat of previous thread discussions recently on alchohol attempting to restart - WHICH IS NOT MY INTENT, so please don't pick up anyone where they left off and got locked) , I wanted to admit/confess share something:
The other night I went with some brothers from our fellowship who found some brothers in our city who do street evangelism, run Gospel centereded addiction & rehab centers for men and women, setup and feed & preach open air to the people on the worst intersection in Albuquerque in what is known as "The War Zone" (infamous for craziness, gang activity - especially in the 80's when I believe the name was given, prostituion, drug sell & use, homelessness, etc.). It was cool & refreshing. I used to do a lot of such ministry years ago all the time. It's what "kind" of ministry I did most. As an ex-addict, ex-felon, ex-convict, ex-dealer, etc. I know the pain & emptiness of the life & what God can do to save, change & restore one in this position.
Anyways, as I sat out there with them, talking, listening, praying, etc. I thought of the thread on alchohol & Christian Liberty for occasional
Moderate use of wine, etc. And I definitely thought about if I started doing such type ministry in such type circles much again where the matter would/could possibly come up, would I forego my liberty for conscience sake if I thought I might actually get asked that & it could be a stumbling block to a weaker brother who had struggled with it & needs to go teetotaler to stay sober? Yes, of course I would.