The “F” Word

In order to stay sober, you need to master the “F” word. Forgiveness. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Life Vission Mastery Quest, writes, “All forgiveness is self-forgiveness because you’re unbinding yourself from a perception that causes harm to yourself.” Beckwith explains that forgiveness moves you away from the victim consciousness – a state…

Anymore

The crazy dude in Mark 5 is the prototype for Step 1. His life was unmanageable, and he was powerless to do anything about it. To be specific, “This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain” (Mark 5:4). Did you catch that word, anymore? That…

Second Chances

I am the product of the second chance. You are, too. Coach Lane Kiffin said, “When God gives you a second chance, it’s not something you take for granted.” Harrison Ford said, “We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.” Pete Rose said, “If somebody is gracious…

The Grandmaster

I used to be an avid chess player. I still have in my office, my Dad’s old chess set that he learned to play on 90 years ago. In my greatest athletic achievement, I won my high school chess championship with a record of 50 wins, and 0 losses. Then I played the champions from…

Not Expected

We all remember the innkeeper in Bethlehem who told Mary and Joseph that there was no room for them in the inn. The innkeeper has earned a bad reputation because of this, but I wonder if this nameless figure in history may be symbolic of some of us. There was no room in the inn…

The Manger

I heard about a guy who discovered an original copy of the Declaration of Independence while going through some things that had been stored, and then passed down through generations. Eventually, this priceless document fell into his lap. He wasn’t looking for it but found it anyway. The world wasn’t looking for a Savior. At…

I’m a Dreamer

John tapped into the secret to a pure life. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). John understood the magic of connection, or “fellowship with one another,” because…

Somebody Likes Me

Christmas programs have given us nearly unlimited quotes of inspiration. And then there are other quotes that remind us of life as it really is for so many. Like this, from A Charlie Brown Christmas: “Rats. Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there wasn’t a holiday season. I know nobody likes…

Step 1

It is the only Step you have to work perfectly. Say it with me: “We admitted that our lives had become unmanageable, and we were powerless to do anything about it.” This Step sets the table for the next eleven. Until you work Step 1, you can’t pass “GO” and you can’t collect $200 (an…