Sober living with Jesus

Many years ago I attended a twelve step convention in Rhode Island where I heard the keynote speaker that year refer to something called the 'God Box.' This was the place within herself that she tried to put all sorts of things to quell the hunger for something (anything) she had her throughout her life. Sometimes it would be cars, money, sex or anything else that was both quick but temporary at the same time. Eventually, after heartache upon heartache, she came to the conclusion that the only thing that fit in that box was God . It took much time and experience with emptiness for her to get there. She then said that she had no regrets for the things she did and the painful life she had to live to get to the place where she was at. It was that worth it . Have you ever tried on a pair of shoes that was too large for your feet and then walked around in them for a while? What happens is that they rub against your foot and eventually make you very uncomfortable as you contend wit

Step 1 in Celebrate Recovery: 1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18 NIV One of the things Karen and I have been doing recently is attending a Bible study in another town close to Willimantic where there are many people both new to a relationship with Jesus and also to living sober one day at a time. We have developed a passion for this and Karen, in particular, has reached out to some of the girls that are new (and some not so new) to forge strong friendships as we fellowship together on our journey to be more Christ-like every day. Having been a longtime member of a 12 step organization, I am not so worried about fighting the urge to have another drink or use another drug -- although I know that it is important to remember where I came from, so I don&

Click here to take a journey through Psalm 23 .

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. -Romans 7:14-17 (NLT) Alcoholism: is it a disease or is it simply sin ? (from the outset of this post, let me state that the words alcoholism and addiction are considered interchangeable for the purposes of this writing). How we view alcoholism is key to how it is treated. How we see it and what it really is may differ, but the key issue is getting the symptoms relieved so the soul can be treated . For the record: I am an alcoholic/addict-- I have known this for many years and am 16+ years sober. I attend a 12 step fellowship, have a sponsor, am a sponsor and am involved in the ser

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. -Galatians 6:1 (NLT) What Paul writes about has been done for me more than once. I am under obligation to do the same for others. More than an obligation, it should be viewed as a privilege and a pleasure to do so. If I don't, I am doomed to fall back into the same life I lived before. Remember, you can be saved but still be miserable. Also, as James so clearly said, "faith without works is dead." If you want to keep it, give it away. Last week I made a decision to attend more meetings. Over the past few years, I have slowly migrated away from them and taken on more church-related activities. In fact, I had actually got down to pretty much one meeting a week. While that may be OK for some people, I know I need more. I love my Church and it is an importan

Today's Question: Do you have a favorite Bible translation or version, and, if so, what is it? Please get back to me and let me know. Please also include what it is that you like about it more than others, if anything?