Rodney Alcala committed his first crime on September 25, 1968. He made the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List in 1971. He was in and out of prison through most of the 1970s. In 1980, Alcala was found guilty of killing a 12-year-old girl. He would later be found guilty of other murders, landing him a…
In 1931, Knute Rockne died in a plane crash at the age of 43. Having led Notre Dame’s football program for the last ten years, Rockne was recognized as America’s first great college coach. His lessons are still taught in locker rooms and on football fields today. Here’s just one gem from the legendary coach:…
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies four pillars of recovery: Let’s talk about the first one, which we probably focus on the least as addicts. John wrote, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health” (3 John 1:2). Self-care is absolutely…
The Bible says, “Rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18). I have been rejoicing in the wife of my youth for 40 years now. On February 26, 1983, Beth and I were married. That’s a long time ago. Since we said, “I do,” 40 years ago, a lot has changed. I have had…
For those of us living in the United States, this is a dark day in our nation’s history. On this date, February 25, 1913, Congress passed the 16th Amendment, which set the legal basis for the national income tax. No one enjoys tax day. Otherwise, they would pay more taxes than is required. But paying…
“And the lookout shouted, ‘Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post’” (Isaiah 21:8). In recovery, the prize goes to the man who stays at his post. It’s not about doing something spectacular. It’s not about being named “Recovery Man of the Year.” It’s about staying…
“Acceptance is the answer to all my problems.” – Alcoholics Anonymous “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’” (Isaiah 41:13). Recovery is a long road. The first step is always the same – acceptance. Step 1…
“Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives.” – Because He Lives Bill Gaither Because He Lives was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither when they were expecting their first child in the late 1960s. They were going through a traumatic time, as Bill was recovering…
Four years ago today, Billy Graham died at the age of 99. Too quickly, we forget our heroes. I never want to forget Billy Graham. On my dad’s last birthday (June 13, 1979), Billy Graham preached in Houston’s Astrodome. I was a 19-year-old student pastor. I drove a large van, packed with close to 20…
When I was a kid, I often explained my resistance to doing homework with a timeless refrain. “I will never need this in real life!” I appreciate social commentator Fran Lebowitz, who wryly observed, “In real life, there is no such thing as algebra.” Perhaps Solomon was thinking about algebra when he lamented, “It’s all…