An elderly pastor was once asked, “If you were stranded on an island and could have one book with you, which book would you choose?”
Of course, the expected answer was, “The Bible.”
But the pastor said, without hesitation, “If I was stranded on an island and could have just one book, I’d choose a book that tells me how to build a boat.”
You and I were drowning in a sea of addiction and sin. Then God stepped in, in the person of Jesus Christ, that first Christmas morning. It was through him that God provided the boat.
The Gospels proclaim, “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Recovery Step: I can’t imagine a better day than today to start a new life, committed to sobriety and to the One who makes it possible. It’s time to jump in the boat.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
