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…
“My soul waits in silence for God only; from him is my salvation” (Psalm 62:1). How at ease are you with silence? Do you have to have a little background noise or media distraction when you are by yourself? Solitude and silence are considered spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. They are inseparable partners that…
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…
Social gatherings can be a major source of triggers and fantasy. Stefanie Carnes, president of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals, addresses the role of misguided social interactions for the person who struggles with unwanted sexual behaviors. She writes, “Some sex addicts engage in risky behaviors such as sending sexually provocative texts and…