Tag Archives: sobriety

Pour Down Like Rain

01 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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Rain falls, saturates the dry earth and plants. Tree, flowers, crops, soil, all benefit from the rainfall. With no rain the plants wither and dry, the ground hardens and cracks, thirsting for a shower to end the drought.It appears all is lost when rain refuses to fall.
“O God you are my God; early will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you; In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” Ps.63:1
I need the rain. You do too. Not the moisture falling from the skies…no, the rain that refreshes our spirits, the falling of His presence, saturating the depths of our spirits. Likes the trees and plants His rain falling on us, causing growth and producing fruit many feed from. The showers God sends to our inward man cause the cracked dry soil of our existence, become a dark rich loam, growing new seedlings in undeveloped areas, those places we have  ignored too long.
His showering to make us a well-watered garden, a picture of gracefulness, where everything produces after it’s kind. We being so saturated by Him, that living waters gush from within us so others may drink and be satisfied. God send the rain.
May the Lord send his rain down on you and fill your every moment with His Holy Presence. May you be known for His love in you. May His wisdom in you be obvious to all. May His kindness be your character, His name never leave your breath. May you grow, give, and gather through Jesus, the name above every name. Let it be.
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Rigorous Honesty, I Lied

25 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Integrity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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I told a lie two years ago. No unintentional, accidental, white-lie. It was a bare-faced lie. The actual story is inconsequential, but the reason for the lie is worse. I see from the ripple effect that lying is a terrible evil. One lie could lead to a second to cover the first, a third to cover the second, and so on.

An individual asked me to take care of something that they could not do. I said, “sure, I’ll handle it.” I fully intended to take care of the situation, but not as a priority, so I forgot. Then I remembered, but couldn’t take care of it that moment, so I forgot again. Two months later when asked if I took care of the situation, I said…gulp, yes, and, “Thar she blows!” It was a fictional story more epic than “Moby Dick.” I then scrambled to do the task…days later. Was I sorry? At the moment, yes. Give it a little time, and as “they” say, time heals all wounds. This was a gaping hole in my personal integrity, unjustifiable.

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” Col.3:9 NKJV

“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.” The Big Book of AA (step 10)

The friend knew I was lying, but didn’t call me on it, at that moment. All I really had to say was, “no I did not, I will do it immediately.” They may not have appreciated that statement, but no lie would have been told. The task was not majorly hard, but tedious, and I put it off. The sick thing is to me is that the lie came from my procrastinating, not considering the other who asked feelings, the lie was next, then reproach on Christ, guilt followed, then reproach on my integrity. Quite a progression, rather, descent, don’t you agree? The putting off, was the first is a series of “sins”, or revelations of character defects the “old me” performed without remorse.

Procrastination is self-will run riot. It is self-centeredness at its best. I don’t want to so I won’t. And for recovering addicts and alcoholics, lying is a way of life we keep in our “denial” portfolio. We lie for no apparent reason. Lying always has a ripple effect, sending out waves of related sins in its wake. One of the issues that you have to deal with when working with new comers in recovery, is honesty. If that is grasped, recovery comes to them much smoother. The pain I experienced from the lie I told hurt terribly. Me, the go to guy, a liar.

Did I repent? You bet, and that episode is one I never want to repeat. I know I am human, I can fall so I try not to think highly of myself. My damaged integrity is good today, though scarred. I want to continue my recovery from self-serving, self-seeking, and try to live an exemplar life as I follow Christ and lead others. I also desire that my children, and theirs, be people of their word, so I must determine to lead by example.

Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Be Careful Little Mouth

16 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Politics, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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“Please Lord, make my words today sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them,” -anon
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” – Rudyard Kipling

The children playground saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” was originated by a person who obviously had skin made of steel. The saying is actually attributed by some from slaves that were talked down to, and called every unholy name by their overseers. The reality is that words effect go far beyond the ear and into the brain. Words go into the very depth of a person’s soul, and there, take residence, Words break up homes, friendships, split churches and civic groups, and words can shut down corporations. With all of the high tech being used as media outlets, words can end a political career by someone’s cell phone footage used on the evening news.

Words can have the opposite effect as well. Encouragement expressed to another, down on themselves and needing confidence, can turn their life’s situation completely around, and turn the misfortunate one onto the pathway of a positive existence. Words from a coach to his team at halftime may motivate players to overcome a mistake ridden first half, into a flawless performance in the second. The right word from an AA, NA, CR sponsor, can cause the one struggling minute to minute to make it one day to the next. A pastor delivers his sermon, maybe the one word he says from scripture lands in the heart of someone that becomes the next Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr, Augustine, or Francis of Assisi.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Ps.19:14
“A man has joy by the answer from his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” Prov.15:23

How do you talk? Are your words a healing balm to someone that has been badly beaten by life? If not, you have the power to change that. You have the ability to inspire, motivate, and cause those around you to create an environment of achievement. People love being around charismatic, smiling people that encourage them. They feel just the opposite of the negative ones that are only interesting if they are spreading dirt on others.

If your memory serves you well, think back through your recent conversations with others. What did they say? How did you respond? If you are completely honest, and can see that you may not be the person you hold so highly above reproach, you can change your way of speaking from negative to positive. Ask God to help you, and make you aware of what you plan to say, whether it edifies or tears down. Be a life-changer with the way you speak.

Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Weekend Harbinger

23 Saturday Feb 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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The work week is finished, time to party!
The memories I have of those Friday afternoons, or any day that preceded a day off, are vivid to my mind. I know that as much as I looked forward to partying all weekend or day off from work, my enthusiasm eventually turned to a forboding, knowing what the next day off would bring. The fun eventually ceased, misery encased me. All I had was a few bucks and a bottle of liquor…or two, then hours wishing I had listened to those warnings from inside my heart. By the time the stupor sat in, stupidity followed, my thoughts turned to the many failures, melancholy thoughts about “if only,” and to bitter disdain of the successful and achievers. “Why did they succeed?” How did I sink into this low estate?
“Who has woe? Who has sorrows? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.” Prov.23:30-31
Seeing those good old beer commercials, that ice cold mug and the golden hue are designed to entice the watcher to drop whatever he is doing and head to the refrigerator or corner market, and start throwing down a few refreshing suds. It works. The warning in Proverbs about the sparkling wine, (or beer, whiskey, etc.), is not at the end of the commercial. The warning from the beer maker is “drink responsibly.” Well that really works…for them. When the law suits from the deaths this weekend from all who will lose their loved ones from alcohols effects on themselves or some drunk driver reaches court, the potion provider will say, “We had the warning on every ad, every case of beer. ” They do, and they are truly not responsible. No one forces you or me to drink. Drink responsibly…geez! Tell that to the millions of alcoholics in this country, and they think that means don’t drink and drive without your seatbelt on.
“In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt. They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can have another drink.” Prov.23:32-35
This 3000+ year old harbinger, is giving the alcoholic ample warning of this weekend’s actions they will experience. Would I have listened when I was boozin’ and loosin’? No. But the warning is there nonetheless. Few would say “thanks for the warning,” and do an about face. Most wouldn’t. I can say this is your forecast for your weekend. You have a little change in your pocket, never mind debts or obligations, “let’s drink!” Monday rolls around; and if you were one of the fortunate ones that did not wind up in jail with huge fines and lawyer fees. You didn’t lose your life on the highway, or take someone else’s life, or even have a nice “shiner” as a reminder of the fun. You did at least get to go into work remorseful from how you feel and what you failed to do. “Oh I forgot, this was my weekend with the kids!” There, you did it again. “Oh well, they don’t love me anyhow.”
Before you start your weekend, take a look at your life’s direction. Don’t think for a moment there is plenty of time, that you are young. I use to think that way, and missed God’s best for my life, and hurt those closest to me from my self-seeking way of living. Those little children are in this world because of you and will follow your example lifelong. Choose to look for help. Ask God to help you now. Your sincerity is real if you read this far, go a little further. Asking for God’s help, finding a group to support your decision to live sober, and choosing right, will take you places you never dreamed of going in life. That is my being a harbinger of what will be to the one choosing to do the “next right thing.”
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

A Month of History and Help

07 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, History, Politics, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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I am convinced that people who have never had the grand pleasure of being addicted to drug use, alcohol, gambling, porn, overeating, etc., or have had mental health issues, or have had no family or friends with any of these issues…yet, could care less that February is National Recovery Month. In the same respect, people outside of the African-American community, have little interest in Black History month, unless they are history-buffs. There are many other months that the government recognizes for people of various heritages, Irish, Hispanic, Jewish, Filipino, et al, that I had no idea existed. This is the way we Americans celebrate various cultures in our country, ignoring them. Awareness has become, and is becoming more important to me as I grow in recovery, and in Christ. The reasons for their importance is the three tenses, past, present, and future.
Past
“Study the past if you would define the future.” – Confucius “Those unable to catalog the past are doomed to repeat it.” Lemony Snicket, The End
I love history. There is little of the past that doesn’t intrigue me. Americans have this tendency to be so busy racing to the end of life from the time of their adolescence, until in their late forties, when sensing their mortality, and slamming on the brakes of time, and calculating how fast things happened. Just a few years ago, when the kids were little…we pause in reflection of how good the past was, those warming memories of loved ones passed, prices in grocers and restaurants, old TV shows, and the like. If we can look at the importance of the past to teach us the treasure of living one day at a time, we would never be in the zoom-zoom mode, and see the past for what it truly is…a professor of now, and tomorrow.
Black history is important. As a society, we should never want to see happen to a race of people that happened to them. The history of how slavery of African peoples came to be, must  be viewed as diabolical, the greed and treachery of men, never to repeated at all cost. But my view today is not to remember the how, but the why, and look how this culture has risen out of their low estate, to prominence. The focus today should  be on the history and the admiration of a people’s rise from ashes. The contributions of  African-Americans, both noted and unknown, can help every American see that all people, all cultures are important to society.
One more quote:
“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.” -Morgan Freeman 
Present
To believe that slavery ended in the nineteenth century is error. I am not referring to the 27 million slaves in the world today, but the millions of Americans addicted to substance abuse, those chained to fears and mental illness, and to love of self, desiring more and more things that have everything but happiness included. Recovery month is obscure to most Americans, mainly because of apathy, some ignorance too. We don’t know, and we don’t care, until directly affected. Get involved, don’t wait for others. Find ways to be a part today, and if nothing else, pray daily for the nation.
The actions I take today has a great effect on my tomorrows. Making decisions early each day to give God the first acknowledgement ahead of what I want to do, has a profound influence on the rest of the day. Each one of us who have been graced with the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus, as well as those of us with the gift of sobriety, should be deeply aware of the danger of ignoring the past, get our spiritual battle gear on, and fight the good fight against slavery to addictions in the realms unseen, the real battlefield. Now, today, the present is the day of salvation. Time is short and even Jesus said we should pray for laborers to enter and work.
“In an acceptable time I have heard you. and in the day of salvation I have helped you,” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor.6:2 “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS harvest.” Matt.9:37-38
Brighter Future
We all want the future to be an improvement. The Black history month, Irish, Hispanic, Jewish months, are months we reflect on the past of suppressed peoples, living and contributing in our society today. Through prayer, awareness of this new slavery to substance abuse, and the old ploys of the enemy, using fears to drive greed, hatred, racism, and all other forms of evil, these can be shaken, and strongholds he has built up into the minds of individuals, even entire communities can be toppled.
Forgiveness is key, allowing the light of God’s Word to infiltrate those dark areas we have placed bitterness, and allowed it to fester, rejecting other cultures and their contributions, can be banished. We must make the conscience decision to love. It is Christ alone that can bring us as a people, to accept and unite. The government cannot, secular education will not. It is spiritual in nature, only by understanding the plan and purpose of God can we say, “I once was blind but now I see.”
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep us all.

Empowerment for the Powerless

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Politics, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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We hear the word “empower” regarding children and education. This term is a word of the age, another word that eventually goes to the “out” file. Words like “surreal” have lost popularity and at the end of this year, empowerment will join thewords losing popularity. The reason for the use of this word and its meaning, to give authority or power to, is the attempt to improve the attitude and future outlook through positive input.

Does it work? We empower the youth today through programs and activities that will help them rise above their parents, and achieve a higher lifestyle or obtain higher goals in life. The government of this country does the same thing through programs designed to help the people receiving their assistance, or through legislation to “improve” public education. It is a term that works for parent-child relationships, but not so well with government intrusion on the life of the people. Making laws to improve behavior reflects failure of the culture, an ignorance of the people, that lawmakers think they must “fix.” You cannot legislate behavior, morals, or belief, but the government tries.

It is good for the parent to teach their child that  they have the power to say no to drug use, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and to crimes that ensue. However, there must be a basis of belief, and that there is an eternal consequence for our behaviors, both good and bad. We can empower the young with how they were fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator that loves them, and expects them to use their talents and abilities with gusto, and knowledge that wasting their life can ruin their eternity. Not choosing to teach the children allows someone to do that job resulting in their remaining powerless, having no ability to say no to any desire no matter how evil.

“Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I
may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreaths, and my age as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but a vapor”…..Selah. Ps.39:4-5

Powerlessness is our lot from birth. Babies are totally helpless and need constant care. The failed empowered individual is like a baby needing attention anew. This is the danger of trying to empower a child to believe they are just as good as the next person. If they have a friend at school who excels at math, and you tell them they are just as good as their math-wiz friend, you are setting up their failure. To tell the youth that they can become as good as their classmate in math, is different altogether. The first step to success is the understanding of powerlessness. AA, NA. Celebrate Recovery, all of these programs have the same step one in their 12 step program.

Principle one: Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. Celebrate Recovery’s version.

We go to great pains to make our children feel special, especially when we ourselves have begun our healing process from addictions. We do not want them to follow our misguided path. The greatest gift you can give your child is honesty. Be honest in every endeavor in life, teach them that they are human, flawed, and need to develop skills and abilities with work and experience. Give them real empowerment by telling them they are powerless in many areas, and need help to improve. This is a great gift to realize that we are not an island, we need God’s help, each other’s help.

You may be going through some really difficult times, not knowing where or who to turn to. Family life may be off-kilter, no personal time together, or separation. There may be bad news from a doctor, there may be severe depression, addictions, even a consequence you’re facing from bad actions. No matter what you are facing today, God holds today, He has a wonderful plan for you. You only have to receive his help available by merely asking Him, and realize that you are powerless to fix it. He then can empower you. He may direct you to Celebrate Recovery, or Al-anon, AA, NA, or some other place or person for help. Be willing, forget your pride and don’t deny it any longer…that is you trying to control the situation. Freedom is waiting, there is real life for you and I to live.

Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Guarding the Gates

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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There are many things acceptable today that were taboo yesterday. When I was a little kid, TV was our “gaming,” so to speak, that absorbed hours of our attention. TV was the first real electronic “baby sitter” in our modern times that allowed moms and dads to move about freely throughout the day without having to constantly watch the children. I was mesmerized by TV and the four or five channels we had to watch. I most remember a certain show that came on past my 9:30 bed time. Shock Theater was a weekend show that played scary movies from the !930′s, 40′s, and 50′s, that I would watch with a pillow close by, so I could cover my face when the music clued me that something bad was about to happen. My memories are vivid, how that for days after watching the “Wolfman,” or “Frankenstein’s monster,” I would not look at the windows at night for fear that one of those fiend’s faces would be staring in at me!

Today we laugh at those old flicks, they are so cheesy, nearly comical. Movie makers have progressed in producing terror for modern society, so the ensuing generations may have the experience I loved to hate. As a result of my early fears, I would not allow my 3 children to watch horror movies. I did not want them to have to have a night light in their bedroom, or have to sleep with the bedroom door open or closed out of fear. Even then, I realized we need to “guard the gates” of our heart and mind, to keep fear from getting a foothold in our existence.

Doorway to the Soul
What are the gates? The eyes, ears, the heart, and mind are all places of entry that we need protect from fear gaining that place in us, causing the ripple effect, and producing all sorts of dread, terror, and fright for no apparent reason. Fear enters a gate, finds access eventually to the mind, and works its way to the heart, and out of the mouth fears are expressed and realized. In recovery, people fear relapsed, some even have terror of returning to that way of life. We have to guard the gates of the mind from the “triggers” entry. Those triggers may be something as simple as an old song, or talking about the fun we had while drunk or using, that walk through our gates and will not leave. Recovery meetings are vitally important. This is the place where the suffering hear words of hope, faith, and help. These too, enter those gates and find residence and grow strength to win out over the many fear-based qualities we let in for a lifetime.

As a follower of Christ, as I allow the Word of Truth in my gates, my faith grows in the form of spiritual understanding, and many little fears that took hold in my life leave without a fight. Others may take longer. The important thing for us to know is that we allow access to fear, we guard the gates. Apathy, or complacency, the thought that, “that’s silly, that movie isn’t that scary, the kids can watch it,” is all the enemy of our souls needs to find a foothold. As innocent as it may seem, that little bit of fright gains a place to start its web of phobias throughout that child. Selah. (pause and think about that)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps.27:1
“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Ps.34:4

There are fears that are healthy. touching a flame, walking the edge of a cliff, or walking across an interstate at rush hour are all things to be wary of. As a parent, we must be cautious of who our children hang-out with, keep them away from trouble, or making sure they are not trouble, or a bully themselves. Fears we develop, allow in the gates, are our enemies when God rules our hearts. Addictions, depression (for no medical reason), hoarding, selfishness, anger, are all fear-based as well as terror and dread. Set your house alarm to guard the gates of your being by putting faith’s shield, God’s Word, up as a “force field” so to speak. Let it’s truth build courage, hope, and trust in God’s mercy to keep you from harm. If you have little ones, teach them to be brave in adversity, and that they know to respect healthy fears, and not hide from fears that aren’t there.

If you are in recovery from addictions, know your “triggers” and stay clear of telling the old stories of your past with admiration. Ask God to let you never forget what allowing unqualified fears in the gates of your heart got you, and the misery it provided your friends and family. Let determination in, be with people who are determined if you are struggling. Their faith and confidence is contagious.

Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all!

Struggling for Sleep

16 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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Trouble sleeping? You might want to try one of the contour pillows. They range in price from $19.95 to $75. Not a bad deal if it works. Or you may want to look into your local health food store for a supplement that has melatonin in it and promises sleep. Price varies up to $50, depending on the maker. If it works great, but then you have to do the $50 monthly, because the pills run out. You can spend up to $8000…or more for one of those space mattresses and sleep like a baby, they say. We can spend buckets on every new sleep aid that comes down the pike and still toss and turn, no sleep to be had. 
One of the problems that a newbie to recovery has is sleeplessness. Reasons vary, some from the type of drugs they were on, or from the amount of booze they ingested nightly. The good news is that they will get better if they are dedicated to working the program and keeping a solid daily prayer and meditation time. Many of them can sleep better as they understand the first three steps, that they are powerless over their addiction, the come to believe that only God can help them, and make the decision to turn their will and life over to His care. They accept that they are alcoholic, or addict, or codependent, and need help. Accepting who we are and what we have become allows surrender of self. We will be able to sleep and rest better when we understand this.
“..God was going to be our director…as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow and the hereafter. We were reborn.” Big Book of AA, pg.62-63
“I will lie down in peace, and sleep, for You alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Ps. 4:8
 Save your money. Before you buy that expensive  mattress, get on sleep aids, or buy pillows, take an inventory of you. Are you still trying to run your life like a movie director? Are you determined to fix your spouse, your children, or your friends? You may need to forgive someone for their crime against you, or stop cheating your employer from not doing work assigned to you. You may hate without thinking you do, hold resentments and say you don’t. You could just be full of fear, resentments, anger, and think you are okay.
We strive to be like Christ from the time we believe He is Savior and Lord, yet never achieve that goal, but fight on in faith until the time we pass on. The idea is to continue the battle and learn to surrender or die to self. Sleep, peace of mind, and all virtues are found here, the yielded soul. We all need to see ourselves as we are, but be confident in what we will be as we continue our adventure following Christ and serving others. Keep in mind that an area of surrender doesn’t make the problem go away for good. These issues we deal with continue to re-surface periodically, yet if we refuse to give the problem a foothold in our lives, we win battles here and there until we are a major threat to darkness, and become more like Jesus.
Thanks for reading, god bless and keep you all!

The Hurting and the Hidden

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in faith and Christianity, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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I really had intended to lay off the blogs for a time, you know, I was kinda looking at how many hours I spend weekly on these posts, and if it were not for the stats I receive from my web host, I would think I’m talking to myself. Thanks again for those of you who read my blogs, I hope they are helpful to you. A new year has arrived and my intent is to work harder to serve more while staying balanced body, soul, and spirit. I’ll need God’s strength for that goal to be realized.
I went to the Hope House tonight and told my story to the men living there. The youngest of these was a young man of 18, struggling for hope, reaching his hearing for words of inspiration that may change the direction of his life. There were many others in the room and some listened intently, others were there to maybe just get out of their room. All of these bottomed out from a life of self-serving, or pushed to the bottom from their upbringing. That is a strange word, isn’t it. Down-casting may be a better way of describing the lives of some these dear men’s lives. Yeah, I know, they had a choice, they chose wrong, you didn’t, so it becomes easy to point out how their life went south.
My previous talk to a group was in a golf clubhouse in a neighborhood of which the low-end homes were probably a half a mil, easy. I sensed their sincerity and concern for the bottomed out and broken, and in that room as well, there was hurting and brokenness from addictions and co-dependency. The rich, the poor, and the in-between, problems seem insurmountable. All of us need help from our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We must have direction, leadership, parenting by the godly to return to this country, or heaven help us.
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 25:21
Do you sense the hurting of the drug and alcohol addicted? the porn addict? the gambler? the co-dependent family and friends? It’s their choice, right? I wonder who has the greater addiction, the one using drugs, or the one passing the judgment so easily. I am disturbed in my spirit by my own insensitivity towards the judgmental crowd, their addiction to their opinions and personal haughtiness. And disturbed I should be…I’m in their number. It isn’t just the drug user or the alcoholic that do what is right in their own eyes. We all do, thinking we’re above reproach. Mercy, humility, concern…where are you?
Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all.

Advent…An Old New Song

24 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in faith and Christianity, History, Raising Children, recovery from addictions, Relationships, the Word of God, Think in Today

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Helping God Out

I was lying in bed, exhausted from work and thinking God-ward, about how I could do more for others in recovery when I am constantly working different hours, never sure what days I can attend meetings, and write posts that may inspire somebody on this globe to get free of their addiction. “If I could just do these things full-time,” I think prayerfully. My thoughts continue, “there are so many things that need done for You God, I need to do more to promote the book You inspired me to write, I really want to visit the different meetings, AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery…but work doesn’t allow it, what do You want me to do? This is an new, old song I’m singing.

God Needs Me, doesn’t He?

I guess I really am that ego-centric, believing that God+ Keith= world-wide revival, end to alcoholism, drug addiction, and everyone coming to Jesus. No, I really don’t think that way. I just want to play a greater role, doing more for the Kingdom of God, or as much as I can with the time I have left on the Earth. My mind then returns to my early recovery, how I asked God to let me play a bit-part in the Kingdom. I didn’t care if it was cleaning urinals and emptying trash at church…He had different plans, as long as I remain surrendered to His will.

The Epiphany

I had forgotten one important thing, it is, one day at a time silly. God’s Spirit within me jolted my memory of the importance of living in today, even in the moment, bringing thoughts, prayers, and focusing my attention on Him. Every good intention I have, is to be second to the personal time with Him. In that quiet place with Abba, ideas stream, my life changes as He re-shapes me into someone He can use for His glory. I can recall lesser known verses of carols regarding that first advent, and how meaningful they become as I surrender peacefully to His will.

Advent in Song

“O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray, cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell, O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.”

Hail the newborn Prince of Peace, hail the Son of Righteousness, light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings, mild He lays His glory by, born that men no more should die, born to raise the sons of Earth, born to give them second birth. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Yes Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

I see much more clearly that God can grow His kingdom with or without me. He cannot grow His kingdom with a controlling me, but will use a surrendered me. And having a personal advent, allowing Him to come in, remove and fill, whatever needs repaired and re-supplied, allows me to serve, humbly, with gratitude, and I can go off to sleep knowing He has it under control.

Thanks for reading, God bless and keep you all…Merry Christmas!

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