Sober living with Jesus

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. -Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)   One of the best things I ever did after joining the fellowship was to commit to a home group. I often hear people say they belong to "the best group in the fellowship" or something similar -- I guess it's great that they feel that way. In fact, I think that we should always feel that way. Join a home group right away. You're not getting married. If the group doesn't work out for you, then find another. In most places, there's more than enough to choose from. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” -Matthew 18:20 (NLT) A home group is the place where (after a while) we get to know each other very well and can tell with something is wrong or we're feeling a little off. It is the best place to start with a service commitment. Do you reme...

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 ...

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?

Recently, I watched a Saddleback church broadcast in which Rick Warren identified the following problem with Alcoholics Anonymous: people that are sober for many years still identify themselves by their name and that they are alcoholic. According to him, that is still identifying with and living in the problem. Of course, he touted his church's own "Celebrate Recovery" program as being different and first identifying as a follower of Jesus and then mention a problem with Alcohol. I don't know if I would have become and stayed sober had there been a 'Celebrate Recovery' meeting around when I first arrived on the sobriety scene. Actually, I rather doubt it. What Rick Warren fails to understand is the very necessary identification one alcoholic has with another. I needed to hear people that were sober for years identify themselves as alcoholics. I needed to know they were just like me and that drove the point home. I have attended Celebrate Recovery in recent...

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 wick...

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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The "Set­-Aside" Prayer "Dear God, please set aside everything I think I know [about myself, my disease, the Big Book, the 12 Steps, the Program, the Fellowship, the people in the fellowship, and all spiritual terms, and especially about you God] so I may have an open mind and a new experience [with all these things]. Please help me see the Truth. Amen." I don't remember where that prayer comes from; I found it in a file containing prayers that I had stored on Google Drive. I'll say this: it is one of the most necessary prayers I've prayed in a while and my hat is off to whoever thought it up.

Cover via Amazon A long time ago I was told that spiritual principles don't conflict. My life experience has shown that to be true. Quite often I read different meditation books and some of them do not contain Bible verses or specific references to Christianity. Instead of talking about Jesus, they tend to stick to a generic 'God' and let you fill in the blanks with whatever your conception of that Higher Power might be. However, while minus some of the theology that I believe in, the principles are generally the same and the wealth of spiritual 'gold nuggets' I can mine from such books is priceless. Such a book is the Twenty-Four Hours A Day book. While perhaps one of the most "religious" meditation books out there in use by many A.A.'s, it still tries to maintain a "one size fits all" structure to its writings. Today's reading (December 11) discusses the difference between many doctors' view of A.A. as group therapy [wh...