Sober living with Jesus

As you can see, I've been remiss in posting to this blog.  I have, however, been busy with my other blog at http://scriptureliving.blogspot.com and hope you will take the time to check it out.  Please check my page about the Apocrypha, as I'll be posting some interesting stuff there very soon...

For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. -Romans 6:5 (GNT) When I first starting getting serious about changing in a twelve step fellowship I belong to, I read that it had to begin with the destruction of the awful self-centered nature that was the root of my trouble and causing me the most grief . That part of me (the human 'flesh nature') had to go. Running the show, thinking of myself as the center of the universe-- it all had to cease being my mode of operating. I had to die in my Higher Power, Jesus, and be raised to life in Him afterward. Every time I confess my sin and repent of it, I die once again to the "self of the flesh" and rise in Christ to seize the day, be glad in it and serve Him with joy.

Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope. The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him, So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for him to save us— And it is best to learn this patience in our youth. -Lamentations 3:21-27 (GNT) It's easy to praise God and spout all sorts of nice Christian platitudes when things are going our way; yet, it is quite another to patiently wait on the LORD when things aren't so wonderful. I have found that I grow the most in His grace when I am able to find the faith to wait patiently. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than mine are (as the Prophet Isaiah says) that it is imperative I strive to keep that in mind-- at all times. Oh how I wish I had learned patience in my youth!

Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. -Proverbs 17:1 (HCSB) How true that simple proverb is! I have wasted countless amounts of energy in my life striving to win arguments, and at what cost? For me, strife almost always eventually leads to losing my temper and saying or doing things I will come to regret--often instantly. Unkind words are not soon forgotten. My wife and I (like most or all other couples) have had our share of arguments. I know that both of us have said things to each other that are not quickly forgotten. Some of them I have hung onto for years. When there is discord, not much else really matters. It becomes the all-consuming thing in our house until it is resolved. The same can be said for wherever I am: home, work--or even Church. Discord is often a very unhealthy distraction that takes me away from my primary purpose in this life. Knowing that strife inevitably brings anger, it is best to be avoided at all cost.

I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. -Romans 7:14-20 (MSG) What a relief it has been since

In a recent Saturday night worship service I like to attend, a friend I knew from a particular 12 step program showed up and asked me if I still went to that fellowship. Puzzled by his questioned, I said "yes" and asked him why he asked me. In answering, he admitted that he also continued to go, but wondered if he should--given Psalm 1. Intrigued by his answer, I opened my Bible to Psalm 1 and read it. For the purpose of this post, I offer the Psalm in its entirety: How happy is the man  who does not follow the advice of the wicked  or take the path of sinners  or join a group of mockers!  Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,  and he meditates on it day and night.  He is like a tree planted beside streams of water  that bears its fruit in season  and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  The wicked are not like this;  instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment,  and sinners wi

We know that the Law is spiritual. But I am merely a human, and I have been sold as a slave to sin.  In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. Although I don't do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good. So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. - Romans 7:15-17 (CEV) For many of us recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction, living under the thumb of the law has significant meaning and has impacted our lives [at one time or another] in a seemingly adverse way. Turning from secular law (the law of man) to God's law seems to make it even worse--if we are not saved and don't know the value of God's grace. Please take a moment to read my post on the value of the law .

Surrender to God All-Powerful! You will find peace and prosperity. Listen to his teachings and take them to heart. If you return to God and turn from sin, all will go well for you. So get rid of your finest gold, as though it were sand. Let God All-Powerful be your silver and gold, and you will find happiness by worshiping him. God will answer your prayers, and you will keep the promises you made to him. He will do whatever you ask, and life will be bright. -Job 22:21-28 (CEV) Often in 12 step programs one can hear the expression "surrender to win." Generally this is in reference to alcohol or some other drug, but it can be said equally for any affliction a person may encounter. Our very lives in earthly flesh are wrought with afflictions--some self-made and others occur simply because we are human and descendants of fallen Adam and Eve. Although we may think we are surrendering to a disease of addiction, in reality that is not what we are doing. We are saying as indi

Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. -Proverbs 13:3 (NRSV) Last night, my wife had posted something political on Facebook (which she often does) and had her first experience with someone who vehemently disagreed with her viewpoint, choosing to respond in an angry manner. He accused her of such things as racism (I know my wife and she is no racist) and was "sad" for her. She was upset, called my attention to it and asked me who he was (she had "friended" him because he was a friend of friends and didn't really know him). I didn't know him, but was angered at his nasty little unfounded comment and accusation, firing back from my account that he should reserve his shame for himself. I also questioned why people can't disagree with the present political climate without being labeled racist?  In the back of my mind as I'm posting it, it occurred to me that it was simply venting and would serve n

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