Restoration 10:10

Boxing legend Mike Tyson was nick named “the baddest man on the planet”. His controversial behaviour promotes that reputation. By the age of 13 Tyson had been arrested 38 times. His most infamous crime came when he was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant, for which he served 3 years in jail. Last November he was detained in custody for a day while under the influence of drugs and driving.  In 1997 he was disqualified from a boxing match after he bit off part of his opponent’s ear. But now the bad boy has turned good. Tyson has offered to help former England footballer Paul Gascoigne. Gazza has spent two weeks in hospital for psychiatric treatment, and the former heavyweight champion believes he can assist Gascoigne on the road to recovery. Tyson, 41, said: "I know all about Gazza and I feel I can help him. A lot of top sportsmen have suffered in their private lives, including me, and that’s why I want to help’.  Suffering and failure humbles us and changes us. ‘Iron Mike’s’ heart has been softened by the trials and tribulations of life. We may not appreciate the hurt we are experiencing right now. But it will have an end result. The pain in our private lives will either make us bitter or better people.  Which outcome will you choose?

English pop star Pete Doherty has been jailed for 14 weeks for breaching his probation order. The musician has committed a series of drug and driving offences. One paper columnist says that he has zero sympathy for Doherty. Ex supermodel girlfriend Kate Moss says she doesn’t care. His famous friend Amy Winehouse just laughed when she heard that Pete had been jailed. His family have also struggled with his obsessive behaviour. Pete’s dad didn’t make contact with him for three years because he wouldn’t do rehab. Even his loyal fans are turning their backs on him. “How could Pete be so selfish as to let down hundreds of people? F***ing fuming. Pete Doherty is a ....” Addicts are so annoying they make folks swear don’t they? They also drain people’s emotions and patience. Nevertheless addicts need someone to be there for them all the time if they are to recover. No of course they don’t deserve unconditional help. People don’t have the tolerance or recourses to provide constant support. But it’s the bottom line solution. Addicts need someone to repeatedly believe in them when they repeatedly fail. They need someone to trust them again when they tell a lie. They need someone to employ them when they get the sack from their job. Addicts need someone to bring them hope every time they mess up. But hey Pete’s had plenty chances right? Yeah that’s why he’s been sent to prison. Addicts are a menace to society. They will always face the consequences of their actions. But I for one will be rooting for Pete to come through. He can get his life together and make new friends. He can overcome his craving for drugs. He can entertain people at concerts and write better songs when he comes out of prison. But what happens if he falls short of the challenge? Well a Jewish proverb says ‘There’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother’. That sounds like a true friend to me.