Paul wrote to Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). The word that is translated “training” referred specifically to the disciplined training done by gymnasts in Paul’s day. The commentators of The Recovery Bible add, “It is amazing what human beings can…
“You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10). Let that sink in. In recovery, we must endure a lot of trials, temptations, and tests. We must deal with our past, pain, and persecution. We must move beyond our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. But there is one thing you never have to…
You want to be happy. We all do. But how do we find happiness? Let’s consider the research. Studies show that happiness is not simply an outcome of success, but is an ingredient to create success. Dr. Sonja Lyuboirsky explains that a worthwhile life comes from happiness, not the other way around. Harvard psychologist Jal…
“God sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10). There was an old mantra of Puritan dogma that read, “No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness.” I agree. Your sin is never so great that it extends beyond the grace of…
“You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em Know when to fold ‘em Know when to walk away And when to run.” – Kenny Rogers, The Gambler, 1976 That is the story of every addict. He must learn when to walk away and when to run. Never was there a harder lesson for me to…
Jonah was hardly an exemplary example of integrity and obedience. But once he had been disciplined by God, once he had paid for his poor decisions, he came to one life-changing commitment. The young prophet declared, “I will fulfill my vows” (Jonah 2:9). One can question whether Jonah’s follow-through matched his intentions. At least for…
When I want deep philosophical thought, I turn to . . . Charlie Brown. One day, Lucy looked at Charlie Brown and saw that he was depressed. She said, “Charlie Brown, the problem with you is that you are you.” Charlie responded, “Oh, and what can I do about that?” Lucy replied, “I’m not here…
A hiker was walking down a country road one day when he heard a voice in the distance. “Help me! Someone help me now!” As the hiker followed the direction of the voice, he eventually came upon a horrifying scene. A man had fallen into a sea of quicksand, and was flailing helplessly as he…
“God chose us to be holy” (Ephesians 1:4). More than anything else, you were created for holiness. In order to live a life of holiness, you and I must disengage from unholiness. That means cutting ourselves off from the behaviors which Jesus personally identified as being contrary to the life we are called to live.…
The resurrection is the hinge on which the door of the Gospel swings. Yale professor and theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said, “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen, nothing else matters.” Paul affirmed this sentiment: “If Christ be not risen, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). If you…