It’s Sunday morning and the faithful have gathered. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 is the biblical focus this morning at Hometown Friends Church.

Titled “Abstinence, Moderation, and Abuse,” the message admits the lack of a biblical mandate for total abstinence while clearly making a case for the dangers and damage linked with alcohol.

I’m thinking about how much has been given to this community (and this state) that could have easily been sucked into empty bottles. Years ago the founder of the local dental manufacturing company took a new path that turned toward a higher power and left addiction, “and that has made all the difference” for him and for so many others.