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Author: Scott

Trying Not to Act Like an Addict

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:8 In our diseased behavior, most addicts struggle with honesty and integrity. We believe drug abuse/dependency is evil, but we still, we wallow in it. In our addiction, most of us are hypocrites. Today’s passage about hypocrisy then, hits close…
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Filling the Void

They sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Matthew 14:35-36 While mired in the misery of my addiction, part of me desperately wanted recovery. I truly believed…
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Why Would You Do That?

O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Matthew 14:31 The mishap I wrote of yesterday with my boatlift was hardly an isolated event of stupidity. The same boatlift once had another malfunction – it had some problems – and so, I tied the boat next to the lift, letting it float nearby while I…
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God Help Me

When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30 I’ve done a lot of stupid things, but a few of them really stand out. We once had a broken boatlift, which I decided to fix, alone, while it was still in the water. Grabbing my…
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When I Got Hit by a Car

Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 When I was a kid, I got hit by a car while riding my bike. Or rather, I hit a parked car while riding my bike. I was pedaling along, watching everything but the road, when, BAM, I…
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The Life-Sucking World

After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit India to see a Christian orphanage and church planting movement that we support financially. I believed in their mission, but at the time, I was still struggling with…
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You Got Yourself into This Mess

Send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. Matthew 14:15 When I see those around me struggling with self-destructive behavior, it’s easy to look down and use tough love as an excuse to do nothing. You got yourself into this mess. You can get yourself out. Getting involved with the lives…
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The Downward Spiral

The king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison . . . Matthew 14:9-10 Recently, on a flight, I had the opportunity to witness the individual next to me make a series of poor choices which ultimately led…
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The Castrated God

He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 Once, my idea of recovery was that God would magically change my appetite – while I was still using – and then my behavior would follow. When God didn’t do what I wanted, I blamed him. Maybe he didn’t care or…
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Letting Go Is Hard

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 In my early attempts at recovery, I planned vacations, when I knew I could use for a couple of days and then return…
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