Well-known pastor and author, Max Lucado, openly shared a personal struggle in New Man magazine (Jan/Feb 2002).
Having an occasional beer had never been an issue for him, until he found his craving for it increasing. Once on his way
to speak at a men's retreat he began to plot: "Where could I buy a beer and not be seen by anyone I know?" He drove to
an out-of-the-way convenience store, parked, and waited till all the patrons left. He entered, bought a beer, held it close
to his side, and hurried to his car. Feeling uneasy about his secrecy, Lucado didn't drink that beer. Instead he rolled
down the window, threw it in a trash bin, and asked God for forgiveness and later came clean with the elders of his
church about what happened.

     This story impacted me and was very influential in my decision to give up drinking in 2003. No, I wasn’t an alcoholic.
In fact I’ve never had even a sip of alcohol during my lifetime except in cough medicine. Although I never imbibed, I
carefully guarded my right to do so, convinced that it wouldn’t be wrong – until God asked me to give up that right. 
Prior to 2003 external expectations largely influenced my decision to be a teetotaler. Since then the choice has been
driven by personal conviction. 

     Some Friends are scrupulously principled while others disdain strictness so completely that many traditional taboos
have been discarded. I hope your meeting isn’t characterized by either legalism or license. Instead let’s strive to be a
people of faith whose lives are being shaped by Jesus, our present teacher.                                                        

-          Doug Shoemaker