crushed

Not Crushed

You have been tested, tempted, and trampled. Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but we are not crushed” (2 Corinthians 4:8). John Quincy Adams said, “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” Long-term sobriety is all about perseverance. Let me suggest a few keys to…

force

Air Force One

Until 1956, the Air Force plane carrying the president was referred to as Air Force 8610. Something happened that changed everything. One day, the presidential aircraft was cleared to land at a local airport, about the same time as an Eastern Airlines flight, also number 8610. The confusion demanded a change. So from that day…

clay

Jars of Clay

Paul said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God has always placed the finest treasures in the most breakable jars. Here are just a few examples of God’s broken soldiers: Recovery Step: Each of these men and women were jars of clay. But it turns out, those are the only…

football

This Is a Football!

It’s always a good time to get back to basics. Legendary coach Vince Lombardi’s first practice session with his new team was a memorable one. Addressing the Green Bay Packers, he held up a football and said five words: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,…

joy

Fear vs. Joy

Matthew 28:8 “The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid, yet filled with joy.” Often, life’s greatest journeys take us through both emotions – simultaneously. We experience fear and joy at the same time. At no point is that truer than with recovery. The feelings of joy and fear are not mutually exclusive. Many who…

wrestlers

Wrestlers

I grew up as a wrestling fan. You always knew the good guys from the bad guys. So imagine my surprise when I was visiting family in Kansas one summer, and I came across their local wrestling program on television. Into the ring stepped a villain, as confirmed by the round of boos from the…

discoveries

New Discoveries

Life is full of new discoveries. Such was the case on this date in history, 1781. Sir William Herschel observed the planet Uranus for the first time on March 13, 1781, from the garden in his backyard at 19 New King Street in Bath Somerset, England. After processing what he had seen, he reported his…