In about 760 B.C., a prophet in Judah said something that every recovering addict needs to hear. “Woe to you who are complacent” (Amos 6:1). Never, ever take your sobriety for granted. Never, ever, ever, ever. Don’t do it. Never. There will be days when you think you’ve “got this,” you can take your foot…
Let me give you something to ponder today. What is the only thing worse than finding a worm in an apple? Answer: finding half a worm in an apple and wondering where the other half is. It only takes half a worm for most people to step away from the apple. The fact that a…
“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord” (Isaiah 29:15). When we were children, my brother and I loved to play hide-and-seek with our Dad. We would run and hide somewhere while Dad counted to 20, and then he’d come looking for us. Somehow, we thought that if…
Three men died and stood before God. The Lord gave each of them the chance to start a new life on Earth with any changes they desired. The first man said, “Make me a hundred times smarter.” So God made him one hundred times smarter for his new life. The second man said, “I want…
A young man decided to join the police force. As a recruit, he was asked during the exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He answered, “Call for backup.” We all need to call for backup from time to time. We weren’t created to do life – let alone…
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Ten Valentine’s gifts you…
Joe Gilmore, of the Gratitude Lodge, wrote an article titled, “Seven Common Addiction Recovery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.” He says the most common mistake is thinking you can do it alone. He writes, “A recovery journey requires a positive mindset. You must surround yourself with a supportive community.” Paul said it like this:…
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). What is a life that is worthy? Albert Einstein answered, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” And Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “It’s enthusiasm for something that makes life…
I’ve seen it hundreds of times. I did it myself. I got into recovery because of my wife’s discovery. But it wasn’t enough. Patrick Carnes wrote, “The momentary willingness that comes after disclosure or discovery will not turn into long-term sobriety unless there is a recognition that past attempts to control don’t work. Unless there…
Never judge your success by immediate results. Recovery is about planting seeds today that will grow tomorrow and bear fruit after that. Don’t expect an overnight experience of the full serenity, sobriety, and success that will come from years of doing the right thing – one day at a time. Dr. Paul Chappell, senior pastor…