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Month: November 2019

Keeping Only the Parts I Like

No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 8:16 When I made my first attempts at recovery, I approached the twelve steps with a scissors, keeping the parts I liked…
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I Believe in Sobriety but I Still Drink

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15 It’s absurd, but I’ve met alcoholics, who while obviously intoxicated, attempted to tell me of the benefits of recovery. I believe they thought they believed…
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The Thorns of Life

As for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Luke 8:14 Am I living the way I’m supposed to be? Am I living as God intended? If…
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Gratitude of the Transformed

A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more? Luke 7:41-42 Early in recovery, when life was still an absolute disaster, I turned desperately to God. My career was over,…
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Reborn

Young man, I say to you, arise. Luke 7:14 Every morning as I stumble through the darkness, on my way to the coffee maker, I begin my prayer this way: God, thank you for another day of a new life. Thank you for dragging me out of the living death of my addiction. Thank you…
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Recovery Isn’t Just for the Addict

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. Luke 6:47-48 Every Sunday morning, as I sit in the classroom at the local jail, waiting for…
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The Disease that Afflicts Us All

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil . . . Luke 6:45 While listening to the addict who hasn’t quite found recovery yet, it can be frustrating to hear the excuses. I relapsed because of my debt. I’m…
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Blind to My Own Mess

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Luke 6:41 I can remember multiple occasions several years ago, when others in church offended me. Each time, believing myself to be in the right and the other person to be…
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Judgmental Christian Jerk

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned . . . Luke 6:37 At our weekly jail meeting recently, one of the guys confessed that he struggled with judgmental, condescending thoughts. There he was, in jail himself for destructive behavior, while looking down on another inmate’s poor…
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Letting Go of Resentment

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28 Today’s passage is one of those which, when I first read it, I just don’t see the application for my life. I don’t have any enemies. I know there are people who…
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