CASTIMONIA

Sexual Purity Support & Recovery Group

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Earl Campbell

Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org

One day after practice, a veteran Houston Oiler football player came over to Head Coach Bum Phillips and said, “Coach, I don’t know if you know this or not, but that rookie, Earl Campbell, was unable to finish the mile run at the end of practice.”

Bum responded, “That’s good to know. The next time it is third down with a mile to go, I won’t give him the ball.”

Forty years later, nobody remembers who that veteran football complainer was. Meanwhile, Earl Campbell is in the NFL Hall-of-Fame.

It is easy to criticize others. In the Great Sermon, Jesus had a lot to say about judging the actions of others (Matthew 7:1-5).

What’s not so easy is to reflect on our own lives. I suggest that you take a moment today to ask yourself this question: “What can I be doing better in my own recovery?”

Recovery Step: Focus on your own shortcomings and leave everyone else to God.

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‘Love hormone’ could be to blame for male sex addiction: study

Originally posted at: https://nycdailypost.com/2022/02/03/lifestyle/love-hormone-could-be-to-blame-for-male-sex-addiction-study/

Sex-addicted men have long been accused of lacking self-discipline — but new research suggests there may be a scientific reason for their insatiable bedroom appetites.

A new study published Wednesday in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that men with “hypersexual disorder” have “significantly higher” levels of oxytocin in their system.

The research could significantly change the way that hypersexual men are viewed by society — transforming them from lusty Lotharios with poor impulse control to helpless victims of their own biology.

Oxytocin — informally known as the “love hormone” — is naturally produced by both men and women and helps fuel positive emotions, like other hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.

According to Healthline, previous research has shown “couples in the first stages of romantic attachment had significantly higher levels of oxytocin than their unattached counterparts.”

Oxytocin is also credited with increasing levels of relaxation and trust — but the new study asserts that too much of the hormone could be a bad thing for men.

The study examined 64 males with hypersexual disorder, as well as 38 men who reported ordinary levels of sexual interest and arousal.

Researchers found “significant positive correlations between oxytocin levels and the rating scales measuring hypersexual behavior.”

“Oxytocin plays an important role in sex addiction and may be a potential drug target for future pharmacological treatment,” co-author Dr. Andreas Chatzittofis told Newswise.

Interestingly, the levels of oxytocin in the sex-addicted men significantly reduced after they underwent cognitive behavioral therapy — appearing to confirm that sex addiction can successfully be treated without pharmaceuticals.

Sex addiction is not recognized as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, and many people have questioned whether it is a legitimate ailment or simply an excuse for bad behavior.

However, in 2018, compulsive sex behavior was included in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases list for the first time.

WHO’s list describes compulsive sexual behavior disorder as a “persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in a repetitive sexual behavior.”

Symptoms include sex becoming the “central focus” of the person’s life at the neglect of health, personal care or interests and responsibilities. The behavior should be clear for six months or more and cause distress in personal lives.

It’s previously been estimated that between 3 and 6 percent of American adults suffer from sex addiction.

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New Early Morning Castimonia Meeting – Kingsland Baptist Church – Wednesdays

I am humbled by what the Lord continues to do in expanding His ministry. We will be starting a new Castimonia early morning meeting at Kingsland Baptist church on Wednesday mornings beginning on May 4th. Please join us! Information is below.

Kingsland Baptist Church (Central Campus)
20555 Kingsland Blvd
Katy, TX 77450
Wednesday Mornings
Time: 6:00 am – 7:00 am
Location: Conference room A Main Entrance #1 / Main Bldg.
Starting Wednesday May 4th 

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Talking Monkey

Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org

A man bought a talking monkey from the pet shop. That night he took the monkey to a local bar and bet everyone $10 that his monkey could talk. But the monkey never spoke a word.

When he got home, the monkey chattered up a storm. So the next day, the man took the monkey back to the bar and bet everyone $20 that he could talk. Again, the monkey was silent, costing the man hundreds of dollars in lost bets.

When he got home that night, the man was furious. “I’m taking you back to the pet store!” he told the monkey. 

“Chill out!” replied the monkey. “Take me back to the bar tomorrow. Just think of the odds we’ll get!”

Here’s the lesson: Yesterday’s loss is no guarantee of tomorrow’s outcome.

Recovery Step: “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18). Turn the page on yesterday’s losses. Tomorrow is a new day.

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The Eyes Have It

Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org

It is true that what you take in through your eyes will affect your brain. But the opposite is also true. What you have already stored in your brain will affect what you look at. 

Neurologist and author Richard Restak wrote, “What the eye sees is determined by what the brain has learned.” 

There is really no separation from the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is actually a part of the brain. So what you choose to take in visually is there to stay. 

Lesson #1 – Be careful about what you take in through your eyes.

Lesson #2 – Flood your brain with healthy images, in order that the harmful images may slowly begin to fade.

Recovery Step: “Anyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).