Recovery Minute

Dr. Robert Liston was a 19th-century surgeon. He was arguably the worst doctor ever. In one surgery, he had a 200 percent mortality rate. While performing a leg amputation, Liston accidentally cut off two fingers from his assistant’s hand. Both the patient and his nurse died of gangrene, likely due to the saw being unclean. …

Several times a week, I will hear someone say, “Have you read the latest book by [insert famous author]?” Friends will recommend a podcast, video presentation, or article. We send links to a sermon or song. And that’s all good.  But here’s what we don’t send each other so often – Bible verses. Whatever happened…

I’ve seen it many times. A football player crosses the end zone for a touchdown. Then a frustrated defender knocks the ball from his hands. The result is a fumble – in the end zone. The touchdown still counts. The offensive player isn’t bothered too much by the fumble, since he already scored. In recovery,…

Let’s talk about Nicodemus. Not that Nicodemus. I’m not talking about the fellow in John 3, who came to Jesus at night. I’m talking about the town named after him, in northern Kansas. In 1877, a few families settled in this remote part of a remote state. They named their fair city after the Pharisee…

There are a lot of phobias out there. The five most common phobias are the fear of darkness, heights, flying, confined spaces, and driving. Other common phobias include the fear of public speaking, the sight of blood, drowning, crowds, and spiders. Add this one to the list – the fear of open doors.  It’s a…

“I appointed two large thanksgiving choirs” (Nehemiah 12:31). Nehemiah was the great wall builder of the Old Testament. He prayerfully led God’s people to rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem. He stepped in during a time of great danger, despondency, and discouragement. But in addition to the wall, Nehemiah built something else. Thanksgiving…

Running back Rashaan Salaam won the Heisman Trophy in 1994, as the best player in college football. But in his rookie season with the Chicago Bears, Salaam fumbled the ball nine times. To prevent future fumbles, the coaches fixed a tether to the football during practice. When he ran with the ball, someone ran behind…

God didn’t call you to be successful, but he did call you to be fruitful. And if you are already fruitful, God’s plan for your life is that you become more fruitful. Jesus was pretty clear: “Every branch that bears fruit he prunes so it will be more fruitful” (John 15:2). How, exactly, do we…

On July 8, I rode out a hurricane with a hurricane buddy I’ve known for nearly 40 years. We’ve done this many times. This time, it was Hurricane Beryl, which slammed into the Texas coast with gusts over 100 miles per hour. We had the forethought to drive 100 miles from his home near Houston…

The choice to engage an addiction is a decision that is centered in the executive portion of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex. Once we indulge, the experience delivers a powerful stimulus to the nucleus accumbens, a cluster of nerve cells below the cerebral cortex, which releases a flood of dopamine. The neurotransmitter dopamine…

Fear makes false assumptions.  Remember the night when the disciples were in the boat with Jesus during a major storm? Some of them were professional fishermen, accustomed to the challenges of the open water, yet they were all scared out of their minds. Finding Jesus asleep, they awoke him with these words: “Teacher, don’t you…

It happens a lot. Your wife has left town. Or you left town. In either case, you find yourself alone. Just you and your phone.  What could possibly go wrong? If you find yourself alone for a few days, you need a plan. The Bible says, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself from…

At the end of World War II, a submarine came back to dock at Newport News, Virginia. As it came into port, something terrible happened, and the submarine began to sink. The Coast Guard was immediately dispatched to save the crew, and divers swam down to the submarine. As they approached it, they heard a…

Two characters in the Old Testament served as perfect examples of two competing forces: fear and faith. Those men were King Saul and his son Jonathan. Saul let fear dictate his life, while Jonathan was driven by faith. Jonathan spoke with hope in the face of adversity: “Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf”…

The opposite of addiction is connection. Lots of it. Tons and tons of connections. Not just any connection. I’m talking about the kind of connection that makes a difference. Connection that leads to correction. As we used to say in seminary, that’ll preach. Paul said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your…

“For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, which was very bitter. But he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash” (2 Kings 14:26-27). In the spring of 1884, the French artist George Seurat began painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. That painting, seven feet tall and ten feet wide,…

As an NBA chaplain, I was blessed to meet Kobe Bryant, one of the all-time greats of professional basketball. Too often, people focus on how his life ended, in a plane crash on January 26, 2020, rather than how his life was lived.  It is easy to forget what an incredible player Kobe Bryant was.…

“The tempter came to him” (Matthew 4:3). Temptation is a part of life, and it is especially a part of recovery. There is never a point when the temptations go away. If Jesus never moved beyond the point of temptation, we should not expect to, either. In fact, James (the brother of our Lord) talked…

Jesus took naps. “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion” (Mark 4:38). Our Lord clearly believed in rest. While a storm was tossing the very boat he was in, he responded with a yawn and a power nap. He didn’t sleep long, but he did sleep. Power naps can play an essential role…

“How old would you be if you didn’t know the day you were born?”        – Toby Keith, Don’t Let the Old Man In Ponder that one for a bit.  Don’t misunderstand me. Time takes its toll on all of us. Skin wrinkles. Metabolism slows. Muscles atrophy. If you don’t believe me, attend your next high…

Your recovery won’t go very far or deep if you only stay sober when it’s easy. It’s what you do when it’s hard that puts points on the board. Until you are tested – really tested – you won’t know if you are really sober. Jack Hayford had a lot to say about spiritual growth…

According to Parkinson’s Law, the amount of time it takes to complete a task depends on how much time is allotted. In other words, it will take two weeks to complete a project if you are given two weeks. If you are given four weeks to complete the same work, you will take four weeks.…

It happened on this day in history, in 1825. The Erie Canal opened. But it didn’t come easily. The 363-mile passage from the Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie at Buffalo was the brainchild of several engineers who began meeting in the 1780s. Eventually talk became action. Sometimes, progress takes time.  It took over…

Mark 4 tells the story of Jesus in the boat with his disciples. When the storm hit, the disciples panicked and called out to Jesus, who was asleep in the boat. After Jesus calmed the storm, we read a most intriguing verse.  “They were terrified” (Mark 4:41). Notice, that they were terrified after the storm,…

I have driven to Mt. Evans in Colorado. It is the highest elevation of any highway in America. And along the road, there are countless road signs, warning of twisting roads, sudden drops, rock slides, and more.  Imagine that, instead of posting all of the signs, they had no signs, but built a massive hospital…

“Don’t trust their words; trust their behaviors.”      – Beth Denison I’ve heard my wife say that a squillion times. If you are the wounded spouse, you need to identify the addict’s smoke screen. Addicts are liars, manipulators, and actors. That doesn’t make us bad people, but it does make us hard to read. With time,…

On September 29, 1954, Willie Mays made the most famous catch in the history of baseball. It was Game 1 of the World Series. With two runners on base, Cleveland Indians star Vic Wertz sent a towering fly ball over the head of the young outfielder. Turning his back on the ball, Mays sprinted toward…

In one day, Charles Servizio did 46,000 pushups. Ben Feldman sold $20 million worth of insurance in a day. Will Ferrell played for ten MLB teams in one day. In one day, mosquitoes kill more people than sharks kill in 100 years. Each day, 4.5 million thin mints are baked for Girl Scouts. And in…

Never go into battle wearing another person’s armor. “Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. ‘I cannot go in these,’…

An interesting survey found that 57 percent of us have bought or read a book based solely on its cover. And a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who bought a book based on the cover found that a whopping 96 percent of these people said the book met their expectations. That is the power of…

Have you heard of the “Knotts Prayer”?  Every day, I pray the 3rd Step Prayer, the 7th Step Prayer, and the Serenity Prayer. I know a lot of you who do the same thing. Perhaps we need to add another prayer to our routines. Join me in praying the “Knotts Prayer,” just one time. Here…

Jesus said, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites” (Matthew 6:5). Don’t focus on the last part of that verse, but the first part – when you pray.  When. Not if. When you pray. When, when, when. Maybe you are at a loss for words sometimes, and that’s why you don’t pray more.…

One summer, Bob Bartlett, an explorer, filled a boat with rare birds, put them in cages, and began to transport them to America. Somewhere in the Atlantic, the boat encountered rough water, and one of the birds got away. They watched the bird fly away to apparent “freedom.” But, several hours later, the bird came…

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” And Ralph Waldo Emerson added, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I…

An American art teacher by the name of Judson W. Van DeVenter wrote the following words, which would be published as a hymn in 1896. Living out these words would change the trajectory of his life forever. All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, …

Wounds outlast the disease. The Bible promises, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).  Notice the two-step process here: The wound represents the effects of the disease, not the disease itself. So when someone tells me, “I’m healed of my sexual addiction,” my response is, “Great! You’re halfway home!” It is…

From the Sermon on the Mount we read these words: “Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus said that even “the least stroke of the pen” from God’s Word matters. The…

There were two hunters who were each offered $5,000 for every wolf they could capture and deliver alive. One night, when they were on their way up in the mountains, they woke up to discover that they were surrounded by 50 wolves with glaring eyes and bared teeth. One man punched his buddy and said,…

On this date in 1965, the Beatles’ hit song, Yesterday, reached #1 on the charts, a position it held for the next four weeks. Yesterday would be voted the best song of the 20th century in a 1999 poll of musical experts across the globe.  Written by Paul McCartney, Yesterday was a ballad written about…

Take a breath. Few things are more mundane than breathing, yet few things are more miraculous. With every breath, we inhale half a liter of air, which contains 12.5 sextillion molecules. That’s more molecules than all the sand on all the seashores on planet Earth, including sandcastles. Take another breath. The surface area of your…

“When you move past self, life is simpler and less stressful.” (Tom Rath, It’s Not About You) In 1543, the Polish polymath Nicolaus Copernicus published a book that identified the sun as the center of our solar system. Until that point, it was widely assumed that everything in the universe revolved around the earth. Copernicus’s…

Grace is great, but it’s not enough. Truth is wonderful, but it, too, is not enough. Let me explain. Grace minus truth is all heart and no head. Truth without grace is all head and no heart. Grace says, “I’ll forgive you, no matter what.” Truth says, “I’ll be honest with you, no matter what.”…

Mary Elizabeth Anderson was born on February 19, 1866, just after the conclusion of the Civil War. There was nothing about her life to suggest that Mary would become an eventual member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.  But Mary came up with a fresh idea. That idea was birthed on a trip on…

During the days of King Saul, the Israelites sang a song that got Saul’s goat: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7).  Every time that song played on Spotify, it provoked a spirit of jealousy within Saul. “They credit David with tens of thousands and me with only…

“Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined” (Daniel 11:35). Your stumbling ways never catch God off guard. In fact, he will use them – every time. The Hebrew word used for “refined,” in our verse, means to complete or perfect. God will make you better, stronger, healthier, and more sober…

We don’t ask enough questions. We prefer to give answers instead. But it hasn’t always been that way. As children, we ask 125 questions a day. By adulthood, that number dwindles to six. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we lose 119 questions per day. That’s too bad because you can learn something from everyone you…

“Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be.”     – Adapted from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, William Meister’s Apprenticeship  Everyone you know has fallen short. In fact, you probably know someone who…

Paul and Barbabas set out on their first missionary journey. Then we read this: “They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul…

Do you remember Wimpy, a character from the popular Popeye cartoon? Wimpy always wanted a hamburger. In one cartoon, he said, “I’ll gladly pay you for a hamburger tomorrow if I can have it today.”  That is the voice of an addict. We want deferred payment. “I’ll take a little pleasure today, as long as…

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). When you watch a championship football team, you might say, “Boy, they won that game today!” But they didn’t. They won the game in the days leading up…

William Gladstone said, “Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.” Consider yourself cursed. I’d say addicts are selfish, but I’d be repeating myself. We are the definition of selfishness. I have a friend who has been sober for over 20 years. I observed as a newcomer to recovery asked him, “Why do you…

“The Lord did not hesitate to bring disaster on us” (Daniel 9:14).  I’m guessing that is not your favorite memory verse, one you stick on the mirror at home. But it’s true. God will not hesitate to bring disaster – for a greater purpose. One of my Recovery Rules: God loves you more than he…

We all have something to overcome. That’s why the Bible commands, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Karyn Hall is the author of The Emotionally Sensitive Person. In writing about…

There is a ministry in Oyugis, Kenya, called the Ripple Effects Center. The center offers programs that share the love of Christ, rooted in the principle that when we affect one person with our testimony, they will then become a blessing to someone else. It’s called the “ripple effect.”  The Ripple Effects Center maintains that…

It happened on this date in 1955. Rocky Marciano knocked out former champion Archie Moore in the ninth round at Yankee Stadium, to extend his record to 49-0, with 43 knockouts. And then he walked away. Marciano retired at the age of 32, and remains the only undefeated heavyweight champion in boxing history. But here’s…

There are a few things in life you can count on: taxes, slow drivers in the fast lane, another season of Law & Order, and comedians who aren’t funny. And temptation. “There is no temptation that has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted…

In a recent period of stress and anxiety, I reached out to a friend. Not just any friend. I’m talking about the kind of friend Solomon described: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).  I’ve known this guy since high school, but we have only reconnected in…

Throughout Scripture, God calls us the sheep of his pasture. The prophet expounded on this when he wrote, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). How does this happen? How do we get off track? Do sheep mean to get lost? Do they…

Who said this? “A time will come when, instead of shepherds feeding sheep, we will have clowns entertaining the goats.”  Answer: Charles Spurgeon – 19th century. I’m afraid that time has come. I’m guessing that you don’t have to look very hard to find a church that is better at entertaining the goats than they…

Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means “seize the day.”  Your task is less about planning ahead than it is living for today. I love the picture drawn by the great philosopher and author Francis Schaeffer. He said, “Life is like a clock with no hands. It’s ticking, but you never know when it’s…

Don’t blame others for your relapse. You can blame them for your pain, your trauma, and your abuse. But not your relapse. Sorry, but that one’s on you. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “If you could kick the person in the pants who is responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn’t be able to sit for…

Hope. It’s in our title. There’s Still Hope. The prophet was eaten up with hope. Micah wrote, “As for me, I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). Hope is a powerful thing. Scholar Dan J. Tomasulo, professor at the University of Pennsylvania,…

Let’s play Movie Trivia. I know people who probably know all three answers. Movies are their lives. That’s not me. I have other idols – antique cars, for example. There is nothing about a 1966 Mustang that I don’t know. Hobbies are great. But knowledge of Christ is even better. The Bible says, “Since you…

Recently, I attended a different church in my area for one reason. I love the drummer. He’s the most incredible drummer I’ve ever heard. I have gone to hear him play multiple times throughout Texas and now Florida. The drummer is my son. But on this particular Sunday, there was actually more to the service…

Every year, the local pastor preached the same message to his church’s high school graduates. He would say, “One day you’re going to die. They will dig a hole and put you in it and throw dirt over your face. And at that time everyone will know whether you lived for a title or a…

A country doctor had a sign over his office door that read, “First visit $25. All other visits $10.” A man who was known to be pretty cheap went to see that doctor for the first time. In an attempt to get the lower rate, he greeted the physician with these words: “It’s good to…

It happened 23 years ago today. On September 11, 2001, a plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At that same moment, on the 78th floor, Michael Hingson, who is blind from birth, was at his desk working. He heard and felt the impact of the plane and…

I saw a funny cartoon that showed two little birds sitting on a limb. One of them was wearing a parachute. The other one said, “The problem with you is that you don’t have enough faith.” Most of us live life with a parachute. We walk around with it tied to our backs – just…

I can identify with Daniel. “I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, ‘My Lord, what will the outcome of all this be?’” (Daniel 12:8). There have been many times when I prayed a similar prayer: Each time, my heart cried out, “My Lord, what will the outcome be?” I love the words…

Like most of you, my addiction robbed me of a lot of years. When I finally got into recovery, I felt like I would never really know the fullness of God’s blessings again. For me, it was too late. Then I came across this gem from the Old Testament. “I will repay you for the…

I love giant aquariums. Like everyone else, I am drawn to the large tank, with sharks mixed in with other fish of all shapes, colors, and sizes. One day, as I was watching the fish swim in their predictable patterns, it hit me. Why do the sharks not eat the other fish? Anywhere else, the…

The reason many of us are on a bad pathway today is that we refuse to reverse a bad decision we made yesterday. Let me say three things: From God’s Word: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness…

The first YouTube video was produced by Jawed Karim in 2005. He posted a video of himself at the San Diego Zoo, in front of some elephants, telling the world that it’s cool that they have long trunks.  From that humble beginning, YouTube has exploded in popularity. They now boast a monthly audience of 5…

In 1599, William Kempe parted ways with William Shakespeare’s acting company and began his own career. In order to draw attention, he danced his way from London to Norwich in just three weeks.  Let’s talk about it – the power of dancing. Psalm 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing.” What is so…

“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers – all of them skilled workers and designers” (Exodus 35:35). Longitudinal studies have shown that as we age, the cognitive center of gravity tends to shift from the…

Do you remember the story of the plagues in Exodus? In chapter 8, we read that God sent frogs so torment Egypt. Then we read this amazing account: “Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people…

On this date in 1899, F.O. Stanley did the unthinkable. He became the first person to drive a car to the top of Mount Washington, in New Hampshire. Within a few years, that car would be outdated, with the emerging Stanley Steamer (bearing his name), which clocked a speed of 127 miles per hour in…

There is an interesting story in the Bible about sexual temptation, found in the Book of Genesis.  Potiphar’s wife was relentless in her efforts to persuade Joseph to give in to her sexual advances. She invited Joseph, “Come to bed with me” (Genesis 39:7). Typically, the word that would be used to refer to a…

God uses famous people. Billy Graham and Mother Teresa come to mind. But he also uses less famous people. On the list of apostles, we find a man named James, who was in the inner circle of Jesus. He was a profound leader in first-century Christianity. But on that same list, we find another James,…

I have spent the better part of my 64 years trying to find something men are better at than women. I finally found it. Ready for this? Men are 23 percent more likely to be left-handed than women. Finally, something men are better at than women. I know that’s a stretch. But it’s true. Generally…

Let’s dive into some useless trivia that you are sure to tell your friends. I love trivia. It’s fun to know something that other people don’t know. But there is one thing we must know, above all else.  “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Do you know Christ?…

Focus more on what you control and less on the results. I have always been an avid tennis fan. Several years ago, there was an American player who helped reinstall good sportsmanship into the American game. I grew up watching Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. I found their antics entertaining, for sure. But not everyone…

What is the key to a great marriage? If there was an easy answer to that question, there wouldn’t be 10 million books on marriage in print. Every marriage counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, and Recovery Minute reader has an opinion on the topic. Let me take a swing at it. Or better yet, I’ll let Robert…

Never underestimate the value of hard work.  The business world has discovered that a good work ethic trumps raw talent. In a recent survey, 91 percent of business executives said they hire people who demonstrate a hard work ethic over those who have superior talent. And men and women who have achieved great success in…

You are probably familiar with the story of Samson. When he revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah, it resulted in his capture and humiliation at the hands of the brutal Philistines. But that is not the end of the story. If you keep reading, you find this gem of a verse: “However, the…

Until you take ownership of the problem, you won’t take responsibility for the solution. That is one of the fundamental truths of recovery. Most of us had some form of trauma at the genesis of our addiction. Or abuse. Or isolation. Or all three. None of that is on you. But what comes next is…

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient” (Hebrews 11:31). Most of us have heard about Joshua and the battle of Jericho, when “the walls came tumbling down.” But let’s not miss the account of an ordinary citizen of Jericho who God used to do…

Sin can happen fast. Notice how quickly the original sinners sinned – Eve, and then Adam. “The woman saw that the tree’s fruit was good to eat and pleasing to look at. She also saw that it would make a person wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave…

“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:21). How many times have you said that? “Lord, if you had been here…” Martha was right. Jesus could have been there and he could have prevented Lazarus’ death. But he didn’t. For that matter, he could have…

There is a small town in southeast Mississippi that was founded in the 1860s and has a current population of about 400 people. The name of the town?  Soso, Mississippi.  How did it get its name? When the settlers found the place where they’d start the town, they looked at the soil and said, “It’s…

The beautiful Bridger Wilderness Park in Wyoming offers amazing hikes and views. But for some people, every day is just another opportunity to complain. The park has suggestion boxes scattered throughout, inviting hikers to write down any concerns or complaints they may have. Here are a couple of recent comments they received in the boxes:…

It’s time to put down your phone! The average person checks his phone 352 times a day. I did the math. Assuming we sleep eight hours a day, this means we are looking at our phones once every three minutes for the other 16 hours of the day. And this is a problem. At the…

If you want to grow your own recovery, become a sponsor. Encourage a newcomer. Help someone else get started. In short, be like Jesus. “The Son of man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). You will never go further in your…

A few years ago, a guy in my 12-step group confessed his relapse.  His story went something like this: “My wife was out of town, so I went out with some friends. We had a few drinks, then we went to a movie with a lot of sex scenes. When I got home, I stayed…

Too few of us are willing to speak up for truth. According to Dr. Phil, the number of people unwilling to speak up for what they believe has tripled in the last 75 years. There are three times when you need to speak up. The words you use matter – a lot. The degree to…

My first car was a 1966 Mercury S-55 red convertible. The car was longer than some aircraft carriers. It had a 448 engine which was so loud that my car was always heard before it was seen. My friends were impressed with the roar of the engine, and naturally assumed the car was a rocket…

In 1949, Looney Tunes debuted the iconic character, Wile E. Coyote. As a child, I loved to watch his antics on television every Saturday morning. His signature move was to run off a high cliff, and then, while somehow suspended in mid-air, he would continue running. But he was going nowhere. I spend too much…

Jake Bates was a soccer player in Tomball, Texas. He played soccer for two years at the University of Central Arkansas, until he became a kicker for the football team. Being a backup player, he never saw the field. So he transferred to Texas State University. Again, he was the backup kicker, and never kicked…

Singing is good for you. The exception is in Sarasota, Florida, where you can get arrested for singing in public while wearing a bathing suit. But for the rest of us, it may be time to start singing.  We know the Bible is pro-singing. It reads, “Come, let us sing praise to the Lord! Let…

Two women were the first to view the empty grave. Upon seeing that Jesus was no longer in the grave, they responded in a most interesting way. “The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy” (Matthew 28:8). Did you catch that? They were awash in two competing emotions – fear and…

In the United States, we have quite a few laws that really don’t make a lot of sense. Here are a few examples from around the country. For centuries, man has written thousands of laws for the purpose of heading off every inappropriate behavior he can think of. But the law is never enough to…

Roller coasters were created as a distraction from sin. In the 1800s, hosiery businessman LaMarcus Thompson hated that Americans were tempted by hedonistic places like saloons and brothels. So he set out to straighten up one of the most immoral places he could think of – Coney Island in New York. There, he built America’s…

Football legend Joe Theismann is well-known for his verbal gaffes. For example, he once said, “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” If you aren’t as smart as Norman Einstein, not all is lost. Look to God for wisdom. “The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth…

“When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (John 11:6). If you’re waiting to see God move, you aren’t alone. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years to hold their baby Isaac. Joseph waited 13 years to be appointed to the leadership post he had been promised. The woman…

William Shakespeare remains one of the most famous playwrights and poets of all time. And while he attended grammar school to master reading, writing, and Latin, his parents and children were almost entirely illiterate. The ability to read and write wasn’t necessary during the Elizabethan era, and while Shakespeare’s father, John, might have had a…

There is an old proverb that says, “Fear knocked on the door, faith answered, and there was no one there.” Unfortunately, fear knocks on a lot of our doors. We have fear of failure, fear of relapse, fear of staying with our spouse, fear of life.  Max Lucado offers the perfect response to fear. He…

A recent study found that of those who struggle with various addictions, only 20 percent ever seek any kind of treatment. What makes this especially tragic is that help is closer than ever before. Thanks to modern technology, we now have online groups.  Let’s consider just a few of the benefits of online Zoom meetings.…

The shortest commercial flight in the world lasts just 57 seconds. The Loganair flight between the two Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray lasts just 57 seconds, covering a distance of 1.7 miles. However, because the trip is made via one of two light eight-seater planes, the exact time of the journey could take…

As a kid, I idolized Superman. Then there was Spider-Man. And Iron Man. And Hulk. But there are other superheroes who don’t get enough recognition.  Do you ever wish you had a superpower? Maybe the power to say no to every temptation? The power to stay sober anytime you want? The power to overcome fantasy…

“Never apologize, Mister. It’s a sign of weakness.”     – John Wayne, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, 1949 I was raised in a John Wayne household. Grown men don’t cry. We don’t admit it when we are wrong. And we don’t apologize. Nothing could be more opposite from the biblical model. Scripture reads, “Make every effort…

Robert Plympton was accused of killing a young woman in 1980. He pleaded not guilty and got off, due to a lack of evidence. But 44 years later, new evidence was discovered – old chewing gum. The DNA from the gum was traced to Plympton, and he was found guilty of the crime. The biblical…

“In real life, there is no such thing as algebra.”     – Fran Lebowitz When he got on me to raise my math grade, I asked my dad, “When will I use algebra?” I don’t recall getting a coherent response. But there is an answer to that question. You will use algebra if you become an…

It happened on July 21, 1969. That would be 55 years ago today. On this date in history, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to step onto the moon.  But something else happened that same day, just a few hours later. Gaylord Perry hit a home run. What makes that special? In 1963, the…

Dr. Robert Weiss, author of Out of the Doghouse, is one of the world’s foremost experts on the effects of porn use. His studies have revealed 13 consequences of the frequent use of pornography. These are the percentages of porn users who suffer from specific consequences: At first glance, most of us would say, “None…

Robert G. Heft designed the current United States flag as a school project. His teacher was not impressed, so Robert received a grade of “B-.” But the teacher promised to change his grade to an “A” if his design was adopted by Congress as the official flag. So Robert got his “A” and America got…

King David prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23-24). Self-reflection is a huge part of the recovery process. To that end, let me suggest ten questions to ask yourself on a daily basis. At least, ask them at the end of today. Recovery Step: Hang…

“Jesus withdrew to a region near the wilderness” (John 11:54). That simple act of withdrawal would be one of Jesus’ most profound sermons. His message to those nearest him was clear – we need time away from it all, to unwind and restart our engines. You will recall that John 11 tells the story of…

On June 8, 1845, America’s seventh president died. A few days later, the funeral service of Andrew Jackson attracted thousands. One particular attendee was removed during the service because of his uncontrollable behavior. Throughout the service, he kept interrupting the speakers with fits of profanity. Who was this disrespectful guest? The president’s pet parrot.  Here’s…

We all love the promises of God. In the Bible, there are 7,500 of them. Promises like: Here’s another one, from the lips of Jesus himself. “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Wait a minute! I didn’t sign up for that! Give me the promises about prosperity and peace, happiness and health,…

Dr. Catherine Cox conducted an extensive analysis of 3,000 significant figures in history. She discovered an interesting commonality among them all. Each of these highly successful people recorded their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and insights. In other words, they journaled. If you are new to journaling, let me help. Try my GDP formula. No, not Gross…

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46). On this day in history, 90 years ago, Babe Ruth launched his 700th career home run completely out of the…

Does God still speak to us? Thomas Szasz doesn’t think so. He quipped, “If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.”  The Bible is clear. God has a history of speaking to us and through us. “Surely the sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to…

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Most of us would boldly proclaim our faith in God. We would never question him with our words. But…

Your attitude is everything. Psychologist Robert Puff writes, “Our thoughts shape the way we feel. Our happiness is dependent on the quality of our thoughts. We’re not happy because we’re happy; we’re happy because we interpret the things that happen to us as good.” King David said it like this: “This is the day that…

Can you name the only U.S. president to receive a warrant for speeding, while in office? Ulysses S. Grant. The president was spotted on the streets of Washington, D.C., going too fast – on his horse. Police officer William H. West pulled him over and issued a warning. The next day, West caught him again.…

Popcorn hasn’t always been a snack in movie theaters. Theaters actually hated popcorn in the beginning. Silent films require a literate audience, focused on the movie. So upscale movie theaters banned food during the show – especially popcorn. They demanded full concentration from theater attendees.  Now, everyone eats popcorn in a movie theater. We have…

I’ve heard a lot of successful strategies for how to do well in recovery. But there is one line I have never heard. “I struggled with my sobriety until I started spending more time on social media.” In my latest book, Recovery Rules, I suggest 100 simple truisms that can enhance your recovery. Here’s Rule…

Recently, I read that in a fight, a tiger beats a lion every time. But when it’s five tigers versus five lions, the lions win. Why? Because they know how to fight together. The Scripture teaches, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, that all of you agree with one another in what you say…

American songwriter Irving Berlin was a Jewish immigrant from Russia who came to America to escape religious persecution. He loved his new country and its freedom, and while serving in WWI he expressed that love in a song he wrote as a prayer. He did not publish the song, however, but tucked it away with…

As a senior pastor, I grew my personal library to over 2,000 books. My library was like a lot of people I know. I had a lot of books, but I had not read them all. I had more resources at my fingertips than I ever used. In recovery, you have all you need to…

One person can make a big difference. Jadav Payeng dedicated his life to planting a forest. What resulted was a wooded area spanning 1,360 acres. Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine, which eradicated an illness that had claimed 500 million lives. In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg created the printing press. One person can make…

A dog bit a man, and it was determined that the dog had rabies. When his doctor told the man the news, he sat down and began to write a list of names.  “What are you writing?” asked the doctor. The man responded, “I’m making a list of all the people I want to bite.”…

“Seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6). Isaiah had connected with God and been given a peek into what was to come. The closeness he had experienced with God undoubtedly caused him to want others to experience him intimately, too. Through Isaiah, the Lord told his people to seek him with their…

We all want to be someone else. In the process, we forget who really are. Philosopher Dolly Parton said, “I’m not offended by blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb. I also know I’m not blonde.” The old American poet, E.E. Cummings, wrote, “The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where…

We need someone stronger than our problems because our problems are stronger than us. The psalmist wrote, “Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; he is the God who saves us” (Psalm 68:19). Dr. Karyn Hall, author of The Emotionally Sensitive Person, has a lot to say about the obstacles we face…

Garry Shandling said, “My friends tell me that I have an intimacy problem. But they don’t really know me.” I can relate. I’ll never forget the first time I heard that sexual addiction is an intimacy disorder. I was having breakfast with a man who has a recovery ministry. He mentioned, “Of course, sexual addiction…

Martin Luther King, Jr.: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. Whatever you do, keep moving forward.” The prophet said it like this: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18). This is a huge challenge for men and women…

I’m not a huge fan of checking in a sobriety date at the start of recovery meetings. I know that sounds crazy, coming from a guy who has checked in his sobriety date at his SA meeting every Thursday for nine years. I’m okay with it, but I’m not a big fan. Let me explain…

Do you want to live a life of integrity? Let’s talk about it. “Integrity” is an interesting word. The root word is “integer,” which means “unit of one.” It’s about the whole pie, not just one slice.  The moment you start segmenting your life into different pieces – your church life, family life, work life,…

Satan’s primary attacks will be on your mind. These are the thoughts he will try to implant: So what’s the answer? The answer is to carry a shield that is capable of protection from these darts. The Bible calls it a “shield of faith.” Paul wrote, “At all times, carry faith as a shield, for…

“And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me’” (Luke 9:23). The key word – daily. Anyone can follow Jesus across the street. But we are called to follow him across the decades. And we are to do…

Over his remarkable ten-year career, Barry Sanders scored 109 touchdowns. Not once did he celebrate by spiking the ball or doing a crazy end-zone dance. After each score, he simply ran over to a referee and handed him the ball. Why no celebration? Sanders explained, “The job wasn’t finished yet.” There was still more time…

Most of us take credit for our wins and blame God for our losses. We don’t actually say it. But we think it. “I got the promotion because I deserved it.” “I earned the raise.” “I worked for everything I’ve got.” But when things don’t go our way, it is beyond our control. We blame…

Perhaps Solomon had a politician in mind when he wrote, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions” (Proverbs 18:2).  Warren G. Harding did just that 102 years ago today. He aired his own opinion. On June 14, 1922, Warren G. Harding became the first president to address the American…

1924 was a significant year. These historically significant events all took place 100 years ago. That was the year that Edgar Hoover was appointed the head of the FBI. In 1924, the loudspeaker was invented by Rice and Kellogg, along with the spiral notebook. IBM was founded and Walt Disney created his first cartoon, Alice’s…

“And he said, ‘My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14). When he was leading the Jewish people from 400 years of Egyptian slavery toward the Promised Land, Moses had to deal with constant complaining and stubbornness. The difficulty of the task led to episodes of temper and depression…

You were born into a battle. It’s not a fight you asked for, but you got it. This world is on fire, and there are two forces at war at all times – good and evil. God vs Satan. And each of us must take sides. Making matters worse, you were born with an unwanted…

Every year, Americans eat enough hamburgers that if stacked side to side would stretch around the Earth 32 times. That is 50 billion burgers. I did the math. That comes to 156 burgers per person, per year. And that comes to 125,000 calories per person, per year. That equals the suggested calorie intake for two…

Let’s talk “journey.” The road is not always easy, but it is always worth it. God promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).  Add these words from Max Lucado: “God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”…

The first person to climb Denali (Mt. McKinley) may surprise you. It happened 111 years ago today. Hudson Stuck led a group of friends across the difficult terrain of Alaska. In March, the 20,310-foot climb was planned. Undeterred by altitude sickness, bitter cold, and avalanches, the team of three men reached the summit on June…

When I was a child, Easter was a fun time. Mom and Dad hid Easter eggs all over the house and yard. My brother and I filled our baskets with all kinds of calories and fat grams.  But the “prize” was the coveted chocolate Easter bunny. I begged for one every year. Mom usually gave…

If you know anything about old movies, you are familiar with this iconic line from the classic, Casablanca. “Play it again, Sam.” The problem is that Sam, in the movie, couldn’t actually “play it again,” because he was a drummer, not a piano player.  We know that nothing is impossible with God. Jesus said it…

Okay, fellow Barry Manilow fans, get ready to be disappointed. You are familiar with his most popular song, I Write the Songs. Here’s the sad part. Barry Manilow didn’t write that song. I Write the Songs was actually written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. The 1976 hit won the Grammy Award for “Song…

With all famous people, there is something you didn’t know. For example: It gets worse. Think about your personal heroes. I have had several. Many of them are in heaven now. A couple of them are still living, in their 90s. But here’s the thing. Heroes have faults. I was rocked to my core when…

A woman lost her $823,000 injury claim after lawyers found a photo of her winning a Christmas tree-throwing competition. Yes, you read that correctly. Kamila Grabska, age 36, was in a car accident which she claims left her unable to work. When her insurance refused to pay, she sued them for $823,000. Her case looked…

Let’s talk about the Holy Spirit. Oswald Chambers once said, “The Holy Spirit is the first practical power we come to experience. But he’s the last power that we come to understand in the Christian life.”  Benny Tate, in his groundbreaking book, Unlimited, writes, “Many times, we’re seeking something rather than somebody. There are fruits…

“And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sometimes, change is gradual. Rick Warren writes, “The Holy Spirit works within us to make us gradually more and more like him.” Paul said we become different people…

Charles Spurgeon was a prolific author and speaker. Born in 1834, he produced over 3,600 sermons and dozens of books before his death in 1892. Spurgeon came to the Lord as a teenager, apparently by “accident.” En route to an appointment, he was sidetracked by a snowstorm and took refuge in a chapel, where he…

Are you familiar with the Prayer of Jabez? “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep…

“Chase your dreams!” That sounds like good advice, and sometimes it is. But not always. It depends on the dream. Eighteenth-century composer Giuseppe Tartini once had a dream that he handed the devil his violin to see what he could do with it. The Prince of Darkness played the most amazing piece Tartini had ever…

It was another long night for the Uber driver. Over 12 hours, he drove countless people from restaurants and bars to their homes. The driver’s work wasn’t done until the dawning of the next day. Just another Friday night in a string of Friday nights over a period of two or three years. Drunks, profanity,…

A young boy was standing in the middle of the block, not on the corner. A businessman saw him and told him that the bus wouldn’t stop in the middle of the block. “You need to go to the corner where there is a bus stop,” he said. But the boy just replied, “I have…

Recovery is a long journey, not for the faint of heart. Since my first meeting 12 years ago, I have been in well over 2,000 recovery meetings, including those that I lead. I have seen the spectrum – guys with 30 years of sobriety and those who struggle to get 24 hours. Sadly, I have…

In his message to the exiles, Jeremiah declares a word of hope from the Lord: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).  We’ve all read that verse, memorized that verse, and quoted that verse many…

It finally happened. On February 14, the Detroit Mercy College men’s basketball team won a game. Their record 27-game losing streak had come to an end. With a win over IUPUI, the Titans notched their first win of the season on their home court. The fan went nuts. Yes, the fan. Not “fans.”  A lone…

As Paul Harvey used to say, let me give you the “rest of the story.” Let’s talk about rest.  Rest has dozens of great benefits for the addict, or anyone else. Here are just a few. There is a reason we often “sleep on it.” A time of rest puts us in a better position…

Let’s talk about endurance running. Let’s talk about Kim Allan. She set the world record for women’s endurance running in 2013 when she completed 310 miles in just over 86 hours – with no sleep. Before you give up on such feats yourself, consider the benefits of running 310 miles, a distance greater than New…

Would you like a good laugh? I’ll give it a shot. Pick from among three jokes: Laughter is biblical. The Bible says, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them’” (Psalm 126:2). Did you catch that? When God’s people…

The fear of long words is called “hippopotomonstrosesquippeda.” Makes sense. It took a 36-letter word to define a fear of long words. This word was first used by the Roman poet Horace in the first century to criticize writers with an unreasonable penchant for long words.  God is all about simplicity. The Message Bible reads,…

It’s okay to not have all the answers. Michael Rounds is the author of 10,000 Days Sober and an addiction recovery specialist at a correctional facility in Indiana. From his personal perspective, he suggests four ways to deal with a slip in recovery. One of those is to treat recovery as a marathon, not a…

Paul Anderson was the world’s strongest man. In 1957, he backlifted a table loaded with calibrated weights totaling 6,250 pounds. The 1985 Guinness Book of World Records said this lift was “the greatest weight ever raised by a human being.” Anderson made over 500 public appearances, in which he impressed millions with amazing feats of…

On January 20, 1987, Unsolved Mysteries began a run that lasted for 602 episodes. Hosted by Raymond Burr, Karl Madden, and Robert Stack, the show unearthed some of the great mysteries that had never been solved. Everyone loves a good mystery. Mystery books are the second most popular genre of books sold each year. Over…

Paul Ekman is a well-known psychologist and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2009. Ekman has spent over 50 years studying the habits of men and women. As a result, he has produced a list of the reasons that people lie. Interestingly, Dr. Ekman concludes…

In baseball, teams play 162 games to see who can get the best record and that which comes with it – home-field advantage. In football, playing at home is worth about three points in the odds. In the NBA, the home team wins 63 percent of the time. In the NFL, it is 58 percent.…

The question is not whether you will fail, but when you will fail. And what you do next. Andrew Stanton, the director behind Toy Story, offered wise counsel: “Fail early and fail fast. Be wrong as fast as you can.” In other words, learn from your mistakes. Let your failures instruct your future, and move…

Finishing strong is epic. Ever heard of a fellow named Napoleon Bonaparte? One of the greatest military minds and conquerors in history, Napoleon died on this date 203 years ago. Things didn’t end as he would have hoped. After expanding the French empire across Europe, he began to experience military setbacks in 1812 and suffered…

Your pain is the price you must pay for someone else’s blessing. Rick Warren writes, “In every area of your life where you’ve had pain, you have a testimony.” It is your suffering, not your success, that gives you credibility. No one turns to your God because you handled your great days well. They turn…

In the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, in 2009, jockey Calvin Borel rode Mine That Bird to a most unexpected victory. A 50-1 long shot, the horse was running dead last until the final turn. No race was ever won before the final turn. You may not be winning right now, but the outcome…

Jay Leno asked that probing question that has kept so many of us up at night. “How come you never see a headline that reads, ‘Psychic Wins Lottery’”? That’s a great question. I mean, if I were a psychic, I promise you, I’d buy every winning lotto ticket I could. It wouldn’t even be gambling,…

Why do addicts become addicts? What happens on a physiological level? Substances and behaviors of abuse act directly on the reward center of the brain to deliver their high. This involves the speedy and intense release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Addictive behaviors become a shortcut to reward, which, over time, can have a high cost…

Last year, I wrote my favorite book to date, Recovery Rules. I unpack 100 truisms of recovery. Let me give you a few of the rules here. Pick one that you like and live by it today. The Bible says we are to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). I pray these…

Let me give you two powerful words – keep moving. That’s what the early church did. As soon as they had set apart five elders to lead the church, they sent two of them away. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for…

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’” (Acts 1:6). This was man’s attempt to control the Savior. They wanted things to happen on their terms and in their timing. That’s not unusual. The disciples were probably suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder…

Most of us have the gift of worry. Let’s talk about it. A lot of us worry about what is coming the next day. Jesus advised against that. He said, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34). And Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts) said, “Stop worrying about the world ending today. It’s already tomorrow in…

There are three things that put our sobriety at great risk: Every day, we make a decision to do one of two things. We either run from danger or toward danger. The Bible says it like this: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (James 1:14).…

“The water receded” (Genesis 8:1). With those three words, God brought an end to the epic story of the great flood. From the oceans to the skies, the Creator was screaming one word across the globe. Hope. Know this. When your boat takes on water, the water will recede. When your debt consumes you, the…

According to folklore, leprechauns found abandoned gold and buried it so no one could find it; it can only be recovered at the end of a rainbow, where the rainbow touches the earth.  God created the rainbow as a sign of his grace. Life is full of challenges, storms, and floods, often as consequences of…

The captain of the Titanic was warned that there might be icebergs. President Lincoln was warned to not go out in public. Karl Wallenda was told to use a net. The builders of the Hindenburg were warned that filling it with hydrogen might blow up in their faces. Record producer Dick Rowe was warned to…

Noah was a late bloomer. He married at the age of 498 and lived to 950. He built the first ship to prepare for the first flood the world had ever known. A man of patience, it took Noah 120 years to complete the ark. At 440 feet in length, the boat was 1.5 times…

An interesting study was conducted, which revealed the degree to which most of us overestimate our own abilities. Participants were given a series of words to spell. After the test, each person was asked how many words they thought they had spelled correctly. Several participants said they thought they had gotten 100 percent of the…

For centuries, theologians have debated the importance of two competing forces – God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. Most of us fall on one side of that or the other. This isn’t the space to debate reformed theology (although I’m happy to have that discussion another time). But I think we can all agree on…

If you want to know where you will be in five years, take a look at the habits you practice every day right now. A man a lot smarter than me said, “The strength of a man’s virtue should be measured by his habitual acts” (Blaise Pascal). An extensive research project surveyed some of the…

I hear it a lot. “Why should I take a polygraph as part of my disclosure? My wife should just trust me.” Here’s my response. The nice police officer who pulls you over for swerving all over the road gives you a breathalyzer test. Why? Because he’d be foolish to take your word for it…

Theophan the Recluse, a 19th-century Russian Orthodox, penned the following words: “Into every duty a God-fearing heart must be put, a heart constantly permeated by the thought of God; and this will be the door through which the soul will enter into active life. The essence is to be established in the remembrance of God,…

John Piper said, “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.” Anthropologists estimate that at least 18,000 different gods, goddesses, and various animals or objects have been worshiped by humans over history. Today, it is estimated that 80 percent of the global population considers themselves spiritual on some level. But that doesn’t always translate to biblical worship. Jesus…

Anthony Hopkins said, “I have three weak spots – cookies, croissants, and laziness.” Let’s leave cookies and croissants for another day. Today, let’s talk about laziness. Prior to 1914, the average person worked 10 hours per day. With the Industrial Revolution, Henry Ford cut that down to eight hours a day, where it still stands…

On this date in history, April 12, 1633, Galileo Galilei’s heresy trial began. The famed astronomer and physicist had the audacity to question established axioms such as the Ptolemaic belief that the sun revolved around the Earth. For that, he was found guilty of heresy and sentenced to life in prison. He was allowed to…

Muhammad Ali told anyone who would listen (and many who would not), “I’m the greatest.” You knew that. But here’s something you probably didn’t know. He started telling people that early in his career, before he really was the greatest. You have to believe it – and say it – before you can do it. …

Imagine that you have two items on your kitchen table – a cup of coffee and an empty glove. You are thirsty, so what do you do? Try this. Tell the glove to pick up the coffee mug and lift it to your lips.  You probably know the likelihood of the empty glove performing this…

In 1998, Case Western Reserve University conducted an interesting study on self-control. Participants were surrounded by fresh chocolate chip cookies but were told to resist the temptation and eat radishes instead. While they followed this directive, it took a toll. As their activities were monitored in the following hours, it was found that they lacked…

Patrick Carnes has identified four basic core beliefs of every sex addict: At the root of every addiction is an intimacy disorder. Usually, this manifests itself with insecurity and low self-esteem. Perhaps now is a good time to remind you of your identity in Christ. Celebrate the following. You are accepted (Romans 15:7), chosen (John…

I was the strange guy who enjoyed algebra in high school. I’ve always loved mathematics and formulas. So here’s a formula for you. What does it mean? P+P=A Your wait is over. These three letters represent the following: Problem + Powerlessness = Addiction. You can have a problem without it being an addiction. And you…

Henri Nouwen wrote the following devotional, which I read recently. I want to share it with you in its entirety. May it bless you as much as it blessed me. “I am growing in the awareness that God wants my whole life, not just part of it. It is not enough to give just so…

Most things we fear never actually come to pass. For example, in the late 19th century, doctors warned women about a new disease called bicycle face. The theory was that when a woman rode a bicycle for an extended time, the facial expression they held throughout the ride would become permanent – flushed face, bulging…

Are sex addicts the only people who bring trauma to the lives of those they love? Tony Campolo offered the following perspective: “Each of us comes into the world with a predisposition to inflict pain on those who love us the most.” This is confirmed by Scripture. “All have sinned and fallen short of the…

The word for today is – desire.  The Bible begins with a cautionary tale – before Adam ate the fruit, the fruit had eaten Adam. He was eaten up with desire.  Psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Neel Burton says the problem with desires is perception. We desire more things (including sex) when we perceive we don’t…

“Plant gardens and eat what they produce” (Jeremiah 29:5). Let me translate that for you. If you want to enjoy a good recovery tomorrow, you need to do good recovery work today. If long-term sobriety sounds like a worthy goal, you need to plant a good garden today. Here are a few of the plants…

I’ll admit it. My spiritual gift is worry. My team is ahead, but they’ll probably blow it. The stock market was up yesterday, but today it will probably crash. The tests said there was nothing wrong with me – yet. I’m like the guy who thinks that every time the football team goes into a…

I recently got a new pair of glasses. I can see clearly now. For those of you who have to squint to read this, you probably didn’t know that trees have leaves and those leaves change colors. But sometimes we see too much. I would argue that there might actually be too much news on…

The Learning Pyramid offers some great wisdom for how to do successful recovery. Developed by educational theorist Edgar Dale, the conclusion is that people learn more effectively when they participate in the learning process. The first four layers of the pyramid are passive learning. In order from least effective to most effective, they are: lecture,…

Did you collect baseball cards as a kid? Are those cards boxed up in the attic? After reading this, you might want to take another look at those cards. One particular card could change your life. The T206 Honus Wagner card is considered the most valuable card ever produced, drawing as much as $10 million…

The Three Mile Island event took place 45 years ago today. On March 28, 1979, a pressure valve in the Unit 2 reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania failed to close, triggering the worst accident in the history of the U.S. nuclear power industry. Although the accident at Three Mile Island had minuscule health…

Dracula was a real dude. He lived from 1431 to 1476, when he died at the age of 45. Dracula was a prince of a small country called Wallachia, in what is now southern Romania. He was famous for resisting Ottoman Turkish invasions and for his incredible cruelty. However, there is no evidence that Dracula…

There is a fascinating verse in the Book of Acts, which describes one of the early church leaders, an eloquent communicator named Apollos. The passage says, “He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John”…

One day, a little girl was walking through the grocery store with her mother. The girl grabbed something off a shelf and said, “Mommy, mommy, let’s get this!” Her mother said, “No, honey. You have to cook that!” That is life in 2024. We want instant everything. The same applies to recovery. We want the…

My name is Mark and I’m a recovering dissectologist.  For those of you unfamiliar with this addiction, dissectology refers to a compulsive jigsaw puzzle disorder. In short, I love doing puzzles. I attained this passion as a kid, watching my mom do jigsaw puzzles. Mom is still considered one of the best left-handed dissectolotists of…

Persian King Xerxes tried to build a bridge across the Dardanelles to get to Greece faster, but a storm destroyed the bridge. Infuriated with the sea, Xerxes ordered his soldiers to punish it by whipping it with chains 300 times and poking the water with red-hot irons. Handcuffs were also tossed into the water to…

The story is told of a man walking down the street on a very cold day in a poor part of town. He saw two boys playing, neither of whom had gloves. So the man removed his wool gloves, then walked over and handed them to one of the boys. Almost immediately, the boy removed…

Dr. David Susman, clinical psychologist, has written a helpful article, “10 Keys to Recovery.” One of his keys to recovery is this: Develop a plan. Susman explains, “Without direction, it is impossible to get from Point A to Point B. Your plan should include action steps. It must be written down and it ought to…

Let’s talk about the “P” word – purity. Charles Spurgeon said, “I would rather be holy and happy.” But it is not enough to maintain a pure lifestyle. Motive trumps actions.  Saint Augustine said, “God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention with which our actions are performed than on the actions themselves.”…

Words matter. Don’t take my word for it. Consider the testimony of the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon said, “It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time” (Proverbs 15:23). The average person speaks anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 words a day, depending on which study you trust, and whether the…

Things aren’t always what they appear. Did you know that Minnesota, the “land of 10,000 lakes,” actually has about 12,000 lakes? Meanwhile, neighboring Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes. Here are some other things you may not have realized.  There are a lot of things that may surprise you, even in the area of sex and addiction.…

One night, at the dinner table, the wife told her husband, “I remember when we were first married, you always took the smallest piece of steak and left me the largest piece. Now that we’ve been married for 25 years, you always take the larger piece of steak. You don’t love me anymore!” Her husband…

One day Jesus encountered a blind man named Bartimaeus. Then he asked Bart what seemed to be a really strange question. “What is it that you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). The man’s need was pretty obvious. He wanted to regain his sight. But Jesus didn’t put words in his mouth; he…

You are special. We all are. C.S. Lewis wrote, “You have never talked to a mere mortal.” In the eyes of the Creator, you aren’t a “mere” anything.  In December, 1968, Apollo 8 orbited the moon ten times, looking for the perfect landing spot for a future mission. Astronaut Bill Anders took a picture of…

The French poet Jacques Reda had a habit of walking the streets of Paris with the intention of seeing something new every day. That is how he renewed his passion for the city he loved. It is important to renew your passion for the things you see every day. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Earth’s crammed…

There are two kinds of people in the world – those who enter a crowded room thinking, “Here I am!” And those who enter a room thinking, “Here you are!” Which person are you?  This matters because our recovery is never complete until we help someone else with their recovery. We must learn to shift…

Too many of us get too offended by too many people too much of the time. And that’s a problem, because when we are offended, we become stuck in our recovery.  Living in “offended” mode is indicative of a lack of forgiveness, and when you don’t forgive someone, you are letting those who hurt you…

Here’s the problem with anxiety. It always overestimates our problems and underestimates our resources. Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life” (Matthew 6:25. He followed that up with, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34). Clearly, Jesus was opposed to anxiety.  In some cases, anxiety must be treated clinically. But in most cases, we…

Day 1 – A man walked down a street and fell in a hole. Day 2 – The man walked down the street, saw the hole, but slipped into the hole. Day 3 – The man walked down the street, tried to avoid the hole, but was bumped by someone else and stumbled into the…

In their book, The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Health describe a fascinating experiment in which participants agreed to subject themselves to painful trials. First, they submerged their hands into a bucket filled with cold, 57-degree water for 60 seconds.  In the second trial, the time was increased by 30 seconds. For the first…

By all accounts, Emily Dickinson was a recluse. The famous poet rarely left home. She maintained her few friendships by writing cards back and forth. Still, she found a way to make a difference. Emily Dickinson left her mark – leaving 1,800 poems behind. Among these poems you will find one of the most powerful…

“Jesus came at just the right time” (Romans 5:6). Timing is everything. Yogi Berra said, “You don’t have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it’ll go.” And Buzz Aldrin said, “Timing has always been a key element in my life. I have been blessed to have been in…

We get stuck. That is human nature. It happens to us today, just as it happened in the days of Moses. At a time when his people were crippled by fear and crushed by frustration, God said it was time to get moving.  “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to…

Chris Norton broke his neck while playing college football. He was given a three percent chance of ever moving again. Norton didn’t get sad; he got mad. After months of hard work, he wiggled a toe. Eventually, he was able to get up out of his wheelchair and walk seven feet – down the wedding…

How would you like for every word you have ever spoken to be played back for all your world to hear? Francis Schaeffer once said that if every word we have ever spoken could be played back by a huge recorder, the whole world would go into hiding. From the days of Shakespeare, we have…

Last year, I wrote my tenth recovery book, Recovery Rules. It contains 100 truisms. They are pithy, easy-to-remember statements about recovery. If I could add a 101st rule, this would be it: What you tolerate today will dominate tomorrow. If I tolerate staring at attractive women, those fantasies will dominate my mind tomorrow. If I…

If you haven’t read the Book of Zechariah in a while, you missed this gem from God’s Word. “What are you, mighty mountain?” (Zechariah 4:7). When was the last time you talked to your mountain? Mountains represent huge challenges which God intends us to overcome. That’s why I have the following hanging on my wall:…

Do you want to accomplish something huge? Something that you only dreamed of before? Something that will change everything? Then keep reading. This is your roadmap for success. You get in shape one day at a time. You get out of debt one dollar at a time. You run a marathon one mile at a…

In 1847, a civil engineer named Charles Ellet was hired to build a bridge over the Niagara Gorge, an 825-foot chasm. He enlisted the help of a 15-year-old boy, Homan Walsh. Homan flew his kite from one side to the other. The day after the successful kite flight, a stronger line was attached to that…

Saint Benedict started 12 monasteries, including Monte Cassino, where he often went to write. It was there that he penned the Rules of Saint Benedict, containing 73 chapters. One of his rules was this: “If you are fasting, and someone visits you, end your fast and eat with your guest.” The need for connection cannot…

Gerald Schattle tipped the scales at a robust 397 pounds when he made the unexpected decision to run a marathon. His doctors ordered him to lose 100 pounds before his training could begin. Against all odds, he eventually completed a marathon. He didn’t set any speed records, but for him, finishing was the goal. Gerald…

On September 26, 2021, Justin Tucker set the NFL record for the longest field goal in history, with a 66-yard kick for the Baltimore Ravens against the Detroit Lions. But as incredible as that feat was, it pales in comparison to what happened at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas, on October 16, 1976.  Abilene Christian…

We have hundreds of daily readers who are married to sex addicts. If that is you, I want to encourage you to take care of yourself. Practice good self-care. Here are just a few of the things that you might do. Ladies, make Matthew 15:32 your verse for today. “Jesus called his disciples to him…

“Put off your old self” (Ephesians 4:22). Change is a part of recovery. Any progress is tied to our willingness to change. Let’s turn to three pretty smart guys for more inspiration on the value of change. Jack Welch said, “Change before you have to.” Don’t wait until your addiction buries you. The best time…

In about 760 B.C., a prophet in Judah said something that every recovering addict needs to hear. “Woe to you who are complacent” (Amos 6:1). Never, ever take your sobriety for granted. Never, ever, ever, ever. Don’t do it. Never.  There will be days when you think you’ve “got this,” you can take your foot…

Let me give you something to ponder today. What is the only thing worse than finding a worm in an apple? Answer: finding half a worm in an apple and wondering where the other half is. It only takes half a worm for most people to step away from the apple. The fact that a…

“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord” (Isaiah 29:15). When we were children, my brother and I loved to play hide-and-seek with our Dad. We would run and hide somewhere while Dad counted to 20, and then he’d come looking for us. Somehow, we thought that if…

Three men died and stood before God. The Lord gave each of them the chance to start a new life on Earth with any changes they desired. The first man said, “Make me a hundred times smarter.” So God made him one hundred times smarter for his new life. The second man said, “I want…

A young man decided to join the police force. As a recruit, he was asked during the exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He answered, “Call for backup.” We all need to call for backup from time to time. We weren’t created to do life – let alone…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Ten Valentine’s gifts you…

Joe Gilmore, of the Gratitude Lodge, wrote an article titled, “Seven Common Addiction Recovery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.” He says the most common mistake is thinking you can do it alone. He writes, “A recovery journey requires a positive mindset. You must surround yourself with a supportive community.” Paul said it like this:…

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). What is a life that is worthy? Albert Einstein answered, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” And Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “It’s enthusiasm for something that makes life…

I’ve seen it hundreds of times. I did it myself. I got into recovery because of my wife’s discovery. But it wasn’t enough.  Patrick Carnes wrote, “The momentary willingness that comes after disclosure or discovery will not turn into long-term sobriety unless there is a recognition that past attempts to control don’t work. Unless there…

Never judge your success by immediate results. Recovery is about planting seeds today that will grow tomorrow and bear fruit after that. Don’t expect an overnight experience of the full serenity, sobriety, and success that will come from years of doing the right thing – one day at a time.  Dr. Paul Chappell, senior pastor…

If you want to know who you really are, look around you. Take note of the people you spend the most time with, the ones to whom you are the closest. Jim Rohn said it like this: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” A Portuguese proverb says,…

Timothy Richard Tebow described the Christian life well. The football icon said, “I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.”  In recovery, improvement is a great word.…

No one likes to get picked on. I know I never did. Throughout the 7th grade, a bully made a habit of taking my lunch money on my walk to school. This went on for months, until I finally stood up to her. I’ve witnessed spiritual bullying, as well. And recovery bullying. I actually had…

“So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him” (Judges 11:3). Aaron Rodgers, full-time football player (when he isn’t injured) and part-time philosopher, said, “Surround yourself with really good people. I think that’s an important thing, because the people you…

It happened 50 years ago today. It was like every other Sunday for my brother and me. We rode the church bus to College Park Baptist Church in southwest Houston. After the service, I asked our pastor, Dr. Cecil Sewell, if we could talk for a few minutes. He and his wife Sharon took me…

There are a lot of character traits that you should strive for. But God got specific with a few that rise above the rest. The prophet declared, “This is what the Lord requires: to act justly, to love, faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Let’s focus on that last one –…

I pray this every morning before my feet hit the ground. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Lately, I have been focused on the second part of that prayer.…

Before you act out again, ask yourself this question – What message will this send to others?  A man broke into a house late one night. The owner’s parrot said to him, “Jesus is watching you.” The burglar was undeterred. “What is Jesus going to do to stop me?” he asked the bird. As the…

Today, a total stranger initiated a conversation with me about Liberty University. Why did he do this? Because he saw that I was wearing my Liberty shirt, which I often do, as a proud alumnus. A few minutes later, I spoke to another stranger, this time because he was wearing a Houston Astros cap. Why?…

I admit that I should have offered this tribute three months ago.  In 1994, the 24-year-old actor began a ten-year run as a star of Friends, which paid him $1 million per episode and made him one of Hollywood’s most famous stars. But behind the scenes, addiction was ruining his life. At his lowest point,…

I am writing this from 30,000 feet. Beth and I are on a flight from Sarasota to Houston, where I am speaking at a men’s event. I always bring along some things to read on the plane. For this trip, I grabbed from my shelf a book called Georgia and the Carolinas. It is full…

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality” (Ephesians 5:3). Are you familiar with the Modesto Manifesto? That was the agreement that Billy Graham and his inner circle made with each other in 1949. Among other things, it included a commitment that none of them would ever be alone with…

Sometimes, it’s what you don’t do that makes the difference. Someone asked a concert violinist how she became so skilled. She gave a two-word answer: “Planned neglect.” She explained that she neglected everything that didn’t contribute to her goal, which was to be a master violinist.  Successful recovery requires planned neglect. In order to grow…

Can you stay sober for the next 30 days? I remember when such a goal seemed crazy. It was on par with becoming an Olympic swimmer, NASA scientist, or watching a Hallmark movie without jumping off a tall building.  Impossible.  I love what Nelson Mandela said. “It always seems impossible until it is done.” The…

Harvard professor Arthur Brooks has spent years researching the seemingly inescapable association between achievement and satisfaction. Most of us have been duped into thinking that we are just one deal, one raise, or one dollar short of true happiness.  The pursuit of personal wealth, or homo economicus, consumes most of us. One study found that…

“So Elijah did as the Lord told him, and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land” (I Kings 17:5-7). Does…

“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another” (John 1:16). I read about a motorcyclist roaring down the coastal highway in the Philippines who didn’t realize that the zipper of his backpack had come open. The man was making a business transfer with a large amount of cash. The bills began…

Let’s play Bible trivia.  Question #1 – Who were Igal, Gaddiel, and Shammua?  Question #2 – Who were Joshua and Caleb? The answer to both questions is the same. These five men were among the 12 spies whom Moses sent to explore Canaan, to see if they were able to take the Promised Land. Igal,…

A month after my heart surgery last year, my cardiologist gave me the simple formula for living a long life. He said, “Eat what you don’t like.” Mark Twain took this a little further: “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do…

When we began our ministry in 2017, we knew one word had to be in the title – hope. We talk a lot about hope here. But there is another word that is just as important. Still. There’s Hope and There’s Still Hope are two completely different things.  Here’s what we believe. There’s STILL hope,…

The Bible promises three things to every believer: “You were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Let’s talk about that middle one – sanctification. The process of sanctification simply means to become more like Christ. There are several ways we might try this. Many of us…

I have some depressing news for you.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 6.7 percent of the adult population has dealt with depression. And data released by Dr. Paul Greenberg and his colleagues concludes that the number of Americans with Major Depression Disorder increased by 13 percent from 2010 to 2018, with 47…

If you were born on January 16, happy birthday! You share your birthday with nearly 22 million other Earthlings. Here is a list of just a few of those 22 million people who were born on January 16. We celebrate birthdays because life matters. Your life matters. But you shouldn’t wait until your next birthday…

Most addicts make a commitment to quit their behavior, but they don’t stick to their plan. Why is this? I suggest several reasons. Any obstacle to your recovery is worthy of a wrecking ball. Making a commitment to recovery is the easy part. I know, because I made that commitment 100 times. And I quit…

Let’s talk about logic, emotions, and self-control. Dr. Jonathan Heidt has concluded, “Psychology tells us that the brain consistently tricks you into thinking your logic is in control, but generally, it is not. You are being driven by emotions and instinctual drives which your logical brain then rationalizes. This gives the appearance of the logical…

“Jesus had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4). Let me explain why this matters.  The Jews and Samaritans disliked each other. It all went back to 722 B.C. when the Assyrians conquered Israel and took the northern ten tribes into captivity. They brought in Gentiles from other areas to settle in that same region. Eventually,…

The average person will live about 30,000 days.  I’m not sure where I stand on that continuum, but I’m pretty sure I’m closer to the end than I am to the beginning. Will I live 30,000 days? A little less? A little more?  Who knows? But I do know this – I’m alive on this…

Two men of equal ability were given identical houses and assignments. One side of each house was filled with heavy rocks. The men were given one month to move the rocks from one side of the house to the other. The work was grueling, and after two weeks, the first man gave up. The other…

Perhaps fear has gotten a bad rap.  Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of The Power of Slow, writes, “Fear is not always a bad thing. It can sometimes move us to greatness. Fear can be your friend in just the right doses, but too much of it can kill you.” Paul said it like this: “Look…

We will all be tested. Following the 9/11 attack, President George W. Bush said, “The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake, we will show the world that we will pass the test.” In recovery, testing is a part of the process. Jesus was tested, but he used that as…

Life is unpredictable. Don’t take my word for it; Solomon said, “At best, life is unpredictable” (Ecclesiastes 9:7). The great philosopher Forrest Gump said it in a way we can all understand. “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”      – Forrest Gump, 1994 You…

I hate it when someone drops out of one of my Freedom Groups. My first reaction is, “What did I do wrong?” Over the three years I have been leading groups, we have grown from five groups to nine, and from 50 men to 130. But I always fret over the one who slips away.…

Andrew Whitworth switched teams. A four-time NFL All-Pro, the six-foot-seven lineman left the Cincinnati Bengals for the Los Angeles Rams. And in 2022, he accomplished a rare feat, as a member of the Super Bowl champions. What made this so special was that the team he beat was – the Cincinnati Bengals. If you are…

In 2022, three noted psychologists produced an extensive editorial: Human Connection as a Treatment for Addiction. Their research included broad, diverse studies. They used a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model of health and illness, in order to tap into multiple perspectives. This was their summary conclusion: “In summary, the results of our research topic of articles point to…

Psalm 51 provides the gold standard for confessional prayer. “According to the greatness of your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).  First, David asks God to “blot out my transgressions.” He is asking God to scrape off the lies and deceit in…

Saving Private Ryan may be the greatest war movie ever produced. The film traces a mission to bring Private James Ryan home after his three brothers had all been killed in battle. Under the command of Captain Miller, a small group of soldiers went through hell to rescue Private Ryan. Most of the others, including…

Proverbs 16:9 “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” There are three ways in which you need to pursue your goals for the new year. 1. You need God’s Spirit to empower you. “You will not succeed by your own strength, or by your own…

Another year has passed. The new year is just hours away.  In God Is Visible Every Day, Steven M. Hitchcock offers great advice. “In this new year, be grateful that God has given you victory over many things over the past year.” The prophet agreed. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past”…

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…

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…

Addiction has dealt a devasting blow to you or someone close to you. Now you have a decision to make. Will you focus on all you have lost, or on all you have left. Vincent Van Gogh was all about what he had left. Did you know he only had one ear? On an episode…

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…

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…

Henri Nouwen wrote, “Our society is not a community radiant with the love of Christ, but a dangerous network of domination and manipulation in which we can easily get entangled and lose our soul.” Translation – We live in a fallen world. The Bible is like this: “God gave them up to dishonorable passions” (Romans…

I love a good party. I’ve been to a few spirited celebrations, but nothing like the one they threw in Great Britain over 20 years ago.  In June, 2002, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 50 years as monarch of Great Britain. A Golden Jubilee Festival was held in her honor, as London’s ceremonial mall was filled…

We can find great lessons for recovery from history. For example, let’s talk World War II. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, a serviceman serving on a maintenance ship was able to save six sailors trapped on the burning USS Arizona by tossing them a rope. God has done the same thing for each of…

A few weeks ago, I came across this verse, and it really struck me for some reason. “I keep asking that God may give you the Spirit of revelation” (Ephesians 1:17). Have you ever thought about that? God wants you to have revelation. That is the ability to see things others do not see. Paul…

There is no power like the power of focus. We need it in our relationships, spiritual development, at work, and in recovery.  For example, psychologist Traci Stein suggests a unique technique to maintain focus at work. It’s called the “Pomodoro Technique,” which is based on working for 25 minutes, and then taking a five-minute break,…

Whoever told you that recovery would be easy was messing with you. Buzz Aldrin, space explorer, Christ-follower, and recovering alcoholic, spoke of his personal sobriety: “It’s been one of the greatest challenges that ever came along in my life; it was one of the most difficult things to do.” But “hard” doesn’t mean “bad.” The…

What matters the most in long-term recovery?  A team of six addiction experts, led by Dr. Maria Pagano, sought answers. They conducted a ten-year study on the various components of long-term recovery that reaped the greatest results. Overwhelmingly, their research concluded that two things were of the utmost importance. Let’s focus on the second principle…

Dr. Robert J. Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, is the fourth leader of an incredible 75-year study of 724 men. Of these 724 men who entered this study shortly after World War II, 60 are still living, and each of them continues to participate in the annual research. These men came…

Stanford professor Robert Sapolsky reports on a study conducted across cultures. It found that, universally, men tend to prefer to marry women younger than themselves, while women prefer men older than themselves. There were several other interesting findings. But the most profound conclusion was that across cultures, men and women are looking for one thing…

The word for today is . . . mirror. Carl Jung said, “Whoever looks into the mirror will see first of all his own face. The mirror does not flatter; it faithfully shows whatever looks into it, namely, the face we never show to the world because we cover it with the persona, the mask…

If you discovered a priceless piece of art sitting out on a curb, what would you do? In 1977, a Houston man bought the painting, Tres Personajes, as a gift for his wife. It was stolen ten years later. In 2003, Elizabeth Gibson found the painting in the trash on a New York City curb.…

Married couples often keep financial secrets from their spouse. According to a study in 2022, financial secrets adversely affect 75 percent of all marriages. A poll by CreditCards.com found the following: Secrets are never a good thing within a marriage. And eventually, the secrets always come out. “For nothing will be hidden that will not…

“It’s just a flesh wound.”      – Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Those were the words from the Black Knight (John Cleese) to King Arthur (Graham Chapman), after losing both arms in the heat of combat.  The Black Knight did what we all tend to do. He minimized his condition. What Solomon said still…

In the final round of the 1934 U.S. Open, Bobby Cruickshank appeared to be on his way to winning his first major tournament on the PGA tour. He had the lead on the 11th hole when a wayward shot miraculously bounced off a rock and onto the green. Overjoyed, Cruickshank threw his club into the…

We all know that God expects us to be holy. That means to be set apart, living lives of integrity and character. But did you know God actually expects more than holy lives? Paul told the church, “He chose us to be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 1:4). Paul’s message was that we are to not…

Pain. It’s a part of life. It’s what C.S. Lewis called “God’s unwanted gift.” We’ve all been there. Everyone I know has experienced their fair share of pain. The key is how we respond to our pain. Dr. Robert Puff, host of the Happiness Podcast, suggests three steps to processing our pain. It is important…

My good friend, Dr. Roger Patterson, pastor of Houston’s West University Baptist Church, recently preached an amazing sermon on marriage. Roger addressed the subject of selfishness. He said selfishness manifests itself in marriage in four ways: Few things are more damaging to a marriage than selfishness. And that’s a problem for addicts because selfishness drives…

A writer named David Redding wrote about growing up on a farm in Scotland. As a young boy, he was given a beautiful black puppy he named Teddy. Redding and Teddy were inseparable. When Redding had to go off to war, he was unable to return to his farm for more than two years. But…

Juneteenth is a celebration that began on June 19, 1865. Union general Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. His message was met with shock and celebration. What the people didn’t realize was that slavery had been legally banned two and a half years earlier, on January 1, 1863. The…

All successful recovery includes two words – hard work. Sorry, I wish it wasn’t so. I wish there was a softer, easier way, but there’s not. To stay sober, you need to master things like surrender, going to meetings, and working the Steps. But you also need this: Hard work. Derek Jeter said, “There may…

An analogy that is often used to describe the process of rebuilding trust is that of the empty bucket. We say to the addict, “The reason your wife doesn’t trust you is that your bucket is empty. You need to refill your bucket.” We refill the bucket by going to meetings, doing therapy, and remaining…

It would be impossible to summarize the entire Bible – 1,189 chapters – with one word. Among the 66 books of the Bible there are 31,102 verses, consisting of 783,137 words. Which of those words is most important? Hard to name just one. But If I could say just one, it might be . .…

Godzilla’s career as a prizefighter began with his first movie, appropriately called Godzilla, in 1954. He went on to star in 38 movies, taking on all monsters who wanted a piece of him. His career included 55 fights, with 45 wins, four draws, and six losses. One of the losses came to a robot, so…

It is important that we be aware of our weak spots. The Bible says, “Through the law we became conscious of our sin” (Romans 3:20). Substitute the word addiction for sin. Here are four reasons you need to be conscious of your addiction: John Calvin said, “There is no light in the law without Christ.”…

Alexander the Great was one of the greatest conquerors the world has ever known. After he had achieved his conquest of Persia, he embarked on an eastward journey that led him beyond the familiar territories. As author Halford Luccock put it, the general “marched off his maps.” I suppose that when your name ends with…

At the age of four, Itzhak Perlman was struck by polio, rendering his legs useless. However, he compensated for this loss by dedicating himself to his violin. In the following years, Perlman enchanted countless audiences with his music. While he lost the use of his legs, his music bestowed upon him a unique form of…

Sometimes, you need to listen to the advice of others, figure out what makes sense, and then do something else. Good advice is not always the best advice. Sometimes, God leads us to do things that others don’t understand. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised, “The Holy Spirit will teach you all…

Kevin went down on one knee as he handed a beautiful, small box to his girlfriend, Rachel. Then he popped the question: “Will you marry me?” Rachel responded, “Of course I’ll marry you!” Then she opened the box, to find a diamond engagement ring, for which Kevin had spend $20,000. Then, holding up the box…

Forgiveness and second chances are hallmarks of the Christian faith. A well-known secular humanist gave an amazing endorsement of our faith. “What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness. I have nobody to forgive me.” We all say we believe in God’s forgiveness, but that doesn’t always translate into our daily lives. Let…

Have you ever flown stand-by? When you watch the passengers hanging around the desk in front of the terminal, you can always tell the ones who are flying stand-by. Everyone else has a secure ticket. They are sitting comfortably in a chair, reading magazines and working on their laptops, just waiting for their number to…

Eugene Land was a self-made millionaire who was asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth graders at a school in Harlem. Based on historical trends, ten percent of those students would never graduate from high school. That would be six students. Land’s message to the students was simple. “If you stay in school…

When I was about seven years old, I woke up one Christmas morning to find the bicycle of my dreams under the Christmas tree. I was shocked, because I was under the impression that such gifts were reserved for boys and girls who had been especially good that year, which I had not been.  I…

Martin Luther said, “When you wash your face, remember your baptism.” Translation: Never forget from whence you came. Remember your past and learn from it. We should take time to reflect on what got us into recovery and cherish the lessons we have learned along the journey. This will keep us on track and focused.…

My wife works with spouses who are married to sex addicts, leading them through their own recovery programs. Regarding their relationships with their addict husbands, Beth often tells them, “Believe their behaviors, not their words.” Jesus said it like this: “A tree is recognized by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33). When a person works a serious…

In 1956, Billy Graham held a crusade in London that resulted in thousands of people coming to Christ. The London Times, seeking to discredit the tremendous response and success of the revival, published this headline: “Billy Graham Has Sent England Back to the 1800s.”  When asked what he thought of the headline, Graham responded, “Well,…

No one disputes God’s directive to do the right thing. The prophet was clear when he said, “Maintain justice and do what is right” (Isaiah 56:1). That leads to an obvious question. Why should we do the right thing? Psychologist Jordan Scotti has an answer: “There is psychological research that suggests that engaging in prosocial…

Have you ever felt as if your shame, your sins, and your shortcomings have taken you beyond the grasp of God’s grace? I’ve been there. We all have.  So let the words of Jesus sink in. Other than blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “Every kind of sin can be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31). That…

Purity matters – a lot. The psalmists spoke to this when he answered his own question. “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9). Any ministry that is committed to leading men and women to freedom from unwanted sexual behaviors will have a lot…

I have a theory. When you put recovery ahead of God, you find neither. But when you put God ahead of recovery, you find both. That is because all recovery is spiritual recovery.  Henry Ward Beecher said it well: “Heaven will be inherited by every man who has heaven in his soul.” Paul said it…

Jesus quoted from Lincoln’s 1858 speech when he said, “A house divided cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25). Nothing matters more than unity. That is why Jesus prayed, in what really was the Lord’s Prayer (a prayer he prayed himself, not a model prayer for us), “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the…

Your biggest sex organ is your brain. That is why nothing is more important to your recovery than what you do with your thought life. The Bible says, “Serve him with a willing mind” (1 Chronicles 28:9). Here are six ways to serve God with a willing mind: Vincent Van Gogh said, “I put my…

I know what it is to feel “less than.” When you wear Coke bottles for glasses at the age of eight, and when you stutter your way through school, you can’t help but feel unimpressive. That’s why I love the words of Alice Chapin: “Green apples are apples too.” The God who is not limited…

I have the same routine every morning. I step outside on my lanai, and a zillion ducks come rushing up from the pond out back, like a battalion of soldiers storming the beach at Normandy. They know what’s coming, because I’ve been doing the same thing, very consistently, for five years. I reach into my…

There is not enough space to write all the supremely wonderful things Jesus did during the three years of his public ministry. But if we could identify the top ten statements of what Jesus did, this one would rise to the top: “He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Jesus loved his disciples through…

The Holy Spirit exhausted the alphabet in describing Jesus. He was the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the Christ and the Creator, the Daystar of David’s seed. He’s the Everlasting God, Friend of friends, and God of grace. He’s the Helper to the helpless and the Incarnate One, the Just…

Do you remember Popeye the Sailor Man? He was a popular comic book hero who later had his own TV show. I watched it every Saturday morning as a kid. Popeye had tremendous forearms, and always had a pipe in his mouth. He faced his archrival, Bluto, at every turn. Bluto had every advantage over…

Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Speaking at the ESPYS, he revealed the secret to his success: “Rest at the end, not in the middle.” In recovery, too many of us rest in the middle. We take a break from groups and other recovery work when we aren’t done…

Before A.G. Spalding was a sporting goods magnate, he was a great baseball player. He was arguably the first great pitcher, winning a remarkable 252 games over a seven-year career, including 52 wins in one season. But it was one move that by which Spalding made his lasting mark. A.G. Spalding was the first baseball…

A few years ago, Tamekia Reece wrote an article for Prevention. Reece identified ten habits of people who lived to be 100. At the top of the list was one thing. Mix and mingle. She wrote, “People live longer and happier lives if they make new friends and keep old ones.”  Another study conducted in…

Do you ever ask yourself, “Where did the time go?” We have answers. Over the course of our lives, on average, we spend twenty-six years sleeping and another seven years trying to sleep. We spend thirteen years at work, eight years watching TV, four years eating, three years on social media, three years on vacation,…

You’ll never be a winner until you risk being a loser. Stephen McCranie said, “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”  I love the way gymnast gold medalist Simone Biles said it: “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” Taking…

Lance Armstrong was the unquestioned king of cycling, with an unequaled seven Tour de France titles. But it all came unraveled on this date in history. On October 22, 2012, Armstrong was stripped of his titles and banned from the sport he loved. The lifetime ban followed a report from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, that…

There was a fourth-grade student named Tommy, whose mother gave him a box of cupcakes to take to his classmates at school. Unfortunately, Tommy had injured his leg and was on crutches. His mother asked Tommy’s older brother, a sixth grader, to carry the cupcakes for Tommy. The brother said, “I’d rather not.” His mother…

America’s independence from Great Britain was essentially secured 242 years ago today. On October 19, 1781, Britain’s Lord Cornwallis surrendered to American General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. The Revolutionary War would soon come to an end. Did you notice that date – 1781? That is five years after the birth of the United States…

Left-handed people have it tough. Making up just ten percent of the population, they live in a hostile world. We raise our right hands in court, drive on the right side of the road, and read from left to right. Everyone wants to be right; no one wants to be left. Lefties are more prone…

“If God would do _____, I would do ______.”  I hear that a lot. We barter with God. “If he would bring me blessings, I would trust him more.” “If he would reduce my urges to act out, I’d stay sober.” That’s all backwards. The fact is, if you will stay sober, you will find…

After Michelangelo died, a piece of paper was found in his studio, on which the old master had scribbled a note to his apprentice. “Draw, Antonio. Draw, Antonio. Draw, and do not waste time.” The great apostle seems to agree with that sentiment. Paul wrote, “Do not waste your time on useless work” (Ephesians 5:11). …

I’m going to say something I don’t think I ever said as a pastor. Quit serving God and start seeking God! If we were honest, most of us would define ourselves as human doings, rather than human beings. The first thing we ask a new friend is, “What do you do?” We measure our worth…

It is your ultimate opponent – apathy.  You are probably familiar with Edmund Burke’s famous line: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing.” I like the way that John Stott said it: “Apathy is the acceptance of the unacceptable.”  Nothing turns the stomach of God…

The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most popular movies of all time. In the film, we find Dorothy skipping down the yellow brick road to see the great and powerful Oz and ask him to help her get home to Kansas. Ultimately, we discover the Wizard of Oz is a phony, when Dorothy’s…

I love history and I love great success stories. And this is what I know – every great success story in history happened for one reason.  Someone refused to give up. Hard work and daily practice reap benefits that cannot be found any other way. Malcolm Gladwell estimated that mastery in any field requires a…

There was an old country church that had a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall behind the pulpit. Worshipers could see the picture above the pastor’s head when he preached on Sundays. But one week, the pastor was out of town, and the man who filled in was quite a bit taller than he…

Archimedes was a mathematician and physicist in the 3rd century, B.C. He famously said, “Give me a place on which to stand and a lever long enough and I will move the world.” From the example of Archimedes we find two qualities that are indispensable for success in any endeavor: Our concern here is recovery…

“As a result of this many of his disciples withdrew, and were not walking with him anymore” (John 6:66). That is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. Men who qualified as “disciples” of our Lord walked away from their commitments and faith. Unfortunately, I see it all the time. I have been in…

In 1900, a survey was conducted. Americans were asked to list their basic needs. The average response consisted of 72 things. In 1950, this survey was repeated. This time, on average, Americans said they needed over 500 things. I can’t imagine how many things would be added to that list today. Here are ten, to…

God heals. As much as he healed in biblical times, God heals. The lame, the blind, and the addicted. God heals them all. The question is not whether God heals, but how God heals. Sometimes, God heals immediately. “Jesus said, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored” (Matthew…

Recovery can be an emotional journey at times. I cried when I was discovered. I cried when I attended my first SAA meeting. I cried in front of my therapist. I cried throughout my disclosure. I cried when I got my 30-day chip. I cried when I got my one-year chip. I cry – a…

If church attendance only counted those who really want to be there, I suspect attendance wouldn’t be too good on most Sundays. When I was a pastor, I remember one guy who literally told me, “Preacher, just so ya know, I don’t wanna be here!” Contrast that with the plea of the psalmist, who asked,…

Life was never intended to be lived alone. Every great task calls for teamwork, community, and collaboration. We are simply wired for connection. Consider these two examples from history. In 1933, British explorer Frank Smythe attempted to climb Mt. Everest alone. He became so convinced that someone else was with him on the climb that…

Homan Walsh contributed to the construction of the first suspension bridge over the Niagara River, when he was just a young boy. From the Canadian side, he flew his kite across to the American side where the kite string was fastened to a tree on the shore. Then they took a little cord and they…

Do you talk to yourself? There’s nothing wrong with that, but I’d be alarmed if you start hearing responses. I heard about a study that found that 96 percent of us talk to ourselves. Talking to yourself is actually biblical. In the 42nd Psalm, the Sons of Korah talked to themselves. They asked themselves the…

One of the most difficult lessons for me to learn in recovery was that nothing I had ever done caught God off guard. Nor did my addictive behaviors stunt God’s ability to bless me and use me going forward. I had to learn that nothing can really disqualify a person who was never qualified in…