When God told Gideon to lead his people to victory over the Midianites, Gideon complained that he was the weakest man in the weakest family in the weakest tribe of Israel. Gideon essentially said, “Get someone else!” To that, God said, “Go in the strength you already have” (Judges 6:14). That is life-changing. “Go in…
Hard times are a part of life. And they are certainly a part of recovery. I love this quote I came across the other day: “Laughter means nothing unless there have been tears” (Jack Hyles). Often, these tears are the result of bad decisions. A study cited by Psychology Today found that most people fail…
A man approached the border on his bicycle, carrying two heavy bags. The border patrol suspected drugs, but when they opened the bags, they only found sand. The next day, the man was back, crossing the border on a bicycle, carrying two bags. And once again, the border patrol checked the bags. Still, just sand. …
It’s one of the saddest verses in the Bible: “From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more” (John 6:66). In the recovery world, we call that relapse. We find the following data on relapse from the Recovery Village. Following treatment, 80% suffer relapse within the first year. After…
Purity is not innocence. If you define your sexual sobriety by zero thoughts of fantasy, no second looks, and only the purest of motives, prepare to reset your sobriety date – often. Purity is not innocence. This is to excuse any of the above. You absolutely should strive every day to overcome fantasy, second looks,…
When Bob’s lawnmower quit on him, he called the repair shop. He asked the man at the shop what he recommended. “We always suggest you try to fix the lawnmower yourself first. Only bring it to us if that doesn’t work.” Bob responded, “Wow! Thanks for the tip. But does your boss know you’re turning…
Here’s something you don’t think about when you become a follower of Christ: “As they followed him they were afraid” (Mark 10:32). It’s what Oswald Chambers called “the discipline of dismay.” Charles Stanley wrote, “Those who have never trembled from head to toe will never know God’s perfect love.” I suggest we do two things:…
In his song, Weak Man, Leeland Mooring repeated this line throughout: “I’ll be weak for You are strong.” Dr. Travis Myers, professor of church history at Bethlehem College and Seminary, offers three ways in which God uses our weaknesses. Weakness reminds us that our life depends on God. Weakness reminds us that we deserve wrath,…
On March 8, 1874, former President Millard Fillmore died from a stroke at his home in Buffalo, New York. His last words were spoken to his doctor, who had just fed him his last meal: “The nourishment is palatable.” Fillmore is buried near his home in Buffalo, and his grave can be easily viewed by…
Speaking of substance abuse, Joanne Zuhl wrote, “Even if addiction isn’t what puts people on the streets, it is often what keeps them there.” Let’s apply that to any addiction, including sex. For many of us, regardless of how we found our way into the ditch, we are there, and we struggle mightily to dig…