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