A lot of big things have happened on this day in history – September 18.
- Cornerstone is laid for the U.S. Capitol Building (1793)
- Creation of the phonograph (1877)
- CBS debuted (1952)
- Roger Clemens struck out 20 batters (1996)
But the most significant September 18 event came in 1964. It was on this day, 58 years ago, that The Addams Family debuted on ABC. Starring John Astin, Carolyn Jones, and Ted Cassidy, the sitcom featured a family of misfits. And the public loved it.
That’s how we are. We love to watch people who make us look normal.
I see that in addiction all the time. “Compared to Charlie, I’m not so bad,” we tell our wives. And it’s true. Compared to somebody somewhere, you’ve an absolute saint.
But we are told to compare ourselves only to Christ.
Recovery Step: “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6).
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
