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Category: With Audio

Everyone Has a Struggle and a Story

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Galatians 5:19 Occasionally, someone who knows my story, tells me that they’re a little jealous of my story. I wish I had an addiction. They…
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When I Feed an Addiction

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17 In conversation with a friend, I recently had cause to look back on some of…
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Live Opposite

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 When I want a new job, it isn’t good enough to simply decide that I’m working somewhere else. If I want to change, I must resign from the old job and I must go find a…
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Covid Conflict

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.  Galatians 5:15 Two years ago, before 2020, I’d say that in medicine (at least in my circles) we were unified by a common purpose – serving the patient. Sure, we had religious, political, and personal differences, but…
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You Have One Job

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 Even in my own drug use, I still looked down on the addicted. Working in the ER, I often met those who came in, not looking for help, but rather seeking pain medications. They were difficult patients,…
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The Christian Customer

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 When I go to my local sandwich shop, I order my sub the way I want it. I get to specify the bread, meat, and toppings that suit…
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I Should Celebrate My Sobriety with a Drink

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, . . . Galatians 5:13 In abusing opioid pain medications, I experienced tolerance (needing more and more of the drug) and withdrawal (feeling miserable when I couldn’t use). The withdrawal would last several days, during which…
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My Kindergarten Chicken

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Galatians 5:9 When I was in kindergarten, we had an art teacher who came into our class just for that hour each week. He wasn’t our daily teacher, and I don’t have fond memories of him – mainly because he didn’t like me much. One day, as we…
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Toxic People

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  Galatians 5:7 When I think of toxic people, I think of those who are profoundly difficult in every interaction, creating conflict wherever they go. When I’m forced to spend time with them, I don’t enjoy it and if I can avoid them, I will.…
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Useless God

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. Galatians 5:2 The twelve steps of AA teach that we must turn our will over to God if we want our lives and sanity restored. In the disastrous consequences of our addiction, many of us have…
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