If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 Several years ago, prior to my recovery, an acquaintance did something (I’ll remain…
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You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. Matthew 5:21-22 At work, we are currently changing electronic records, which is a dramatic transition…
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Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17 Growing up, I was a people pleaser, which for me, meant being a rule follower. Rule followers follow the rules, just for the sake of those rules. Looking back…
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You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14 Twenty years ago, while in residency, we were taught to treat pain aggressively, which meant prescribing opiates frequently. It…
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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 Fifteen years ago, if you had asked me how I wanted to be known, if I’d been honest, I’d have said that I preferred to be known as a good doctor. Being a physician is respectable. At the…
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Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:7-9 My family recently had the opportunity to go for a hot air balloon ride, which excited three of us, but which evoked…
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Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:5-6 In late winter, we took a trip south, for which I visited the local department store to pick up some shorts. I wasn’t sure of what size, so I headed…
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They brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. Matthew 4:24 While enslaved to my addiction, I knew I was on a collision course with disaster. I desired recovery, but I struggled with translating that desire into action and…
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He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 4:23 I must confess, this blog isn’t my first attempt at writing. Several years ago, during one of my early cracks at recovery, I wrote a book. I’ll spare…
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Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:22 In my early attempts at recovery, I pursued sobriety . . . most of the time. From the start, I planned on indulging occasionally. I knew I needed to cut back, but I thought I could take little vacations from sobriety, using every…
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