[Finny]

Also ... whether or not something is a burden, is ENTIRELY subjective. As I said -- I interpreted my alcoholism as a burden, a crippling heavy one, and THE ONLY PERSON who could help me "cure" the problem was ME, and I could ONLY do it with the help of God.

I came to realize that what I at first thought was a burden, was in fact a GIFT.

Sin is also a sign that God is absent in some manner from a life.

All humans are sinners, every single one of us. Thus God is absent in some manner from every single life. That is what you are saying, though to what end is beyond me and I think beyond you, as well.

We're supposed to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. All the Law and the Prophets hang on those two commandments.

Whether or not you think God is absent from the sinner's life has zilch to do with your own duty to that sinner and to God.

God is love -- the bible says so CLEARLY and OFTEN.

[HiTech RedNeck]

No, you could not help yourself... if you continue to think you could or have, you have only set up an achilles’ heel for yourself. It is pardonable but not excusable before God.

You can only accept the help that God provides. And no that won’t be the ability of crediting one minute of righteousness to any agency other than Him.

I say it to a very distinct and clear end... one of urging the utmost humility.