Partners Daily Meditation

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 -- SOFT ADDICTIONS (3)

2012-01-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some further clues to help us recognize soft addictions.

Compulsiveness. Do you feel compelled to do something, have something, or buy something, even though you know you don't need it? This may be accompanied by a helpless, powerless feeling. You may be unable to stop or reduce the amount of time spent on a given activity.

Denial/Rationalization. If you're defensive or make excuses for your behavior, chances are it's a soft addiction. "What's so bad about ....." is a typical rationalization.

Hiding the behavior. Beware of habits that become guilty pleasures you seek to hide. Covering up the amount of time you spend on an activity or lying to others about how you frequently spend your time or your money are signs of soft addictions.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Behaviours and moods too often substitute for the love and strength that God wants to give us. God knows what we are going through. God cares. God has the best way forward for us. He is the giver of good and perfect gifts that personally satisfy us in ways no other habits or person can. Let's come close to God today.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012 -- SOFT ADDICTIONS (2)

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Here are some clues to help us recognize if our behaviour or mood is connected to a soft addiction.

Zoning out. One way of identifying a soft addiction is to ask ourself if we are “zoning out” while we are doing it. When we are zoned out, we are not fully engaged.

Avoiding feelings. Does a given activity or mood grant you a reprieve from your emotions, especially intense emotions? We avoid feelings by being numb, enhancing the feelings we like to the exclusion of others, or even wallowing in one unpleasant feeling to avoid another.

"Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. ( From Matthew 5 the Message)

God has life and freedom for us but we need to make room for it. We have to let go of the old in surrender in order to welcome and makes space for the new. We have to be honest about our motivations and actions. We have to confess the truth before God about the longing or pain behind the soft addiction. We need to intentionally receive the peace and blessing that God is giving in order to have us behave in ways that bring us closer to God rather than distance us from Him.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012 -- SOFT ADDICTIONS (1)

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Softaddictions can be habits, compulsive behaviors, or recurring moods or thoughtpatterns. Their essential defining quality is that they satisfy a surface wantbut ignore or block the satisfaction of a deeper need. They numb us to unfamiliaror uncomfortable feelings by substituting a superficial high, or a sense ofactivity, for genuine feeling or accomplishment. Rather than leaning on these temporarycrutches, God wants to meet us in our places of need with help that is trulyhealing and satisfying.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxiousthoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the wayeverlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

Many softaddictions involve necessary behaviors like eating, reading, and sleeping. Theybecome soft addictions when we overdo them and when they are used for more thantheir intended purpose. Soft addictions, unlike hard ones such as drugs andalcohol, are seductive because they seem like perfectly harmless and pleasurableactivities while we’re engaged in them – shopping, talking on the phone,eating, or gaming. At other times wesimply give in to moods and reactions and act on behalf of what we arefeeling. We don’t often realize how muchtime and energy we give to these things, both positive and negative and howthey compromise the quality of our lives. Jesus came to give us life to the full and these things rob us of ourdaily experience of that fullness. TheBible teaches us to check everything we do in order to see if it is done inresponse to God’s goodness, or as a substitute for God’s desire to blessus. So whether you eator drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians10:31 NIV)

The motivation and the function of ourbehavior determine whether or not it's a soft addiction. Are we engaging in a particular behaviour toenhance our life and our relationships or are we simply trying to numbfeelings, “vegg out” and let the world go by? Are we seeking to engage with life or to escape from life? Are we inviting God’s presence to fill us andteach us through a particular activity or relationship or are we looking forsatisfaction that we feel we haven’t gotten from God’s way of living? Do we believe we are serving God’s purposeswith what we are doing or are we substituting this activity for comfort anddistraction from discontented feelings of loneliness or anger?

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012 -- Come Close

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When we come into life with God in recovery, we often focus first on behaviours. We remember bad things done by us or to us. We feel guilt and shame, almost in overwhelming fashion. We know we responded to desires for pleasure and to avoid pain for years by choosing behaviours we thought might help us but which, in fact, broke us down and broke down our relationships with God and others. When we awaken in recovery it is both the guilt and the desire for "doing things our way" that God invites us to lay down so we can finally come into the life of love and goodness God intended for us when he created us. Our healing and our protection can come only from our Loving Heavenly Father. The only way we can face ourselves and others is to respond to this love that is gently drawing us. Only in the security of this unconditional endless love of God can we dare to look at the rest of our life. Sadly, we see it the other way. We see the need to "clean up and sort out" in order to approach God. We think we need to find a "better way" that drugs or alcohol to solve our problems but still "our way" rather than God's way. The foundation of all of life in recovery that lasts is that we draw near to God, learn how good it is to be near God, and allow God to clean our conscience and wash our bodies with His purity. Today's invitation is to come to God first and then in the safety of His love, learn how to sort out everything else.

God says, " I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. (Hosea 11:3,4) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:22) But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge. (Psalm 73:28)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012 -- DEALING WITH SELF-REJECTION (4)

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Many circumstances in life can turn us in the direction of feeling rejected. Some of those include: Hurtful words -- “I don’t want you”, the death of a loved one, divorce, abuse (which seems to be the abuser saying "you aren't worth anything more than what I need for my gratification"), guilt about past mistakes or sins, neglect, comparing, or even a physical deformity (real or perceived.)

We can begin to recognize where feelings of rejection are impacting our lives when we feel like: we cannot accept ourselves as we are; feel like we cannot live up to anyone's expectations; live in fear of what others will think or how they will respond to what we do; don't dare to love or let ourselves be loved; easily get hurt or angered by the words or responses of others; often feel disconnected, inferior, not-quite-good-enough.
At some point, each of us will experience some form of rejection. God has an affirming and empowering solution for those moments. God speaks belonging and worth into us every day. As we listen to His voice, His words, His understanding of who we are, and apply that to your hearts, whatever another person says or does will no longer have control over us. It's time to reject rejection and affirm the belonging and acceptance that Jesus speaks over us today and every day.

1-4 But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, the One who got you started,: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you ... That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43:1-4 MSG)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 -- DEALING WITH SELF-REJECTION (3)

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No one can make us feel rejected. We have to choose it. When we choose to live in feelings of rejection, we need to recognize that we have based our self worth on the opinions of others rather than on what God says. We've given more weight to their limited understanding of our situation than to God’s. The good news is that we can choose to believe what God says about ourselves and help our feelings follow that truth rather than being controlled by sad and negative feelings.

Jesus understands our feelings of rejection but His death and resurrection clearly show us that we are forever accepted. You were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated form him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. (Colossians 1:21,22)

How can I deal with feelings of rejection?
1.Identify the feelings of rejection
2.Resist and reject the feelings of rejection – when feelings of rejection overpower you, choose to reject those feelings based on what God says.
3.Affirm healing truth: God I thank you I am unconditionally loved. I am completely forgiven. I am totally accepted. I am complete in Christ.

God says that we are unconditionally loved. God never leaves nor forsakes His children. He will forever stand by us. We are totally accepted. Gaining God’s acceptance is simple: accept His love and forgiveness for our lives. We are complete in Christ today. Our searching ends once we enter into relationship with the Lord. Nothing else will ever satisfy us like He does.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012 -- DEALING WITH SELF-REJECTION (2)

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Many circumstances can seem to tell us that we don't belong, that we have no value, and that we are incapable. God, who actually knows us. God knows the persons He created us to be. God knows the plan he has for us. This God tells us today and every day that not only do we belong, but we have great value and we care capable, in His power, to do things that are beyond our wildest imaginations.

Regardless of what others tell us, God says we have worth because of who He created us to be and because Christ lives inside of us. That’s what counts! We are valuable to God because of our personality, our gifts, our talents and our uniqueness. God not only values us but enjoys us as well and invites us to enjoy this person He’s created too. So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them ....Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (Genesis 1:27,31)

When we feel like we cannot accept ourselves, live in fear of the opinions of others, feel inferior, or just live in criticism of what we do and how we live, it's time to remember that we are not smarter than God. No one else is smarter than God either. Their opinions must bend to God's complete knowledge. God made us. God has a plan. God is able to do in us what He has planned for us.

Let's take hope today in Jesus who finishes the work in us that we were created to do. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith .." (Hebrews 12:2)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012 -- DEALING WITH SELF-REJECTION (1)

2012-01-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

At some point, each of us will experience some form of rejection. God has an affirming and empowering solution for those moments. God speaks belonging and worth into us every day. As we listen to His voice, His words, His understanding of who we are, and apply that to your hearts, whatever another person says or does will no longer have control over us.

There are three feelings each of us must have in order to be healthy. They are: a) I belong; b) I am worthy; c) I am adequate/competent. Feelings of rejection say the opposite of each of these. God has something to say about each of these.

God considers our lives so precious and valuable that He sacrificed His only Son for us, guaranteeing acceptance by Him forever should we choose to make Him Lord of our lives. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” We are His children—children that belong. (John 1:12) Absolutely no one loves us with tenderness and commitment like God. There’s no friend who even comes close. We belong. We will forever belong.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012 -- CHOOSING THE NEW LIFE

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For the past couple of days we have been identifying things about our lives that God says. We know that when God says something, it is the truth. As we begin to live into the truth our perception of ourselves will change and that's significant because it is true that our perception of ourselves determines how we live, We are not just a product of our genetic makeup, our family background, and all the experiences of our lives. We are not bound to our past. Jesus' death on the cross provides life for us here as well as life forever in heaven.

Jesus died for our sins just as God our Father planned, and rescued us from this evil world in which we live. (Galatians 1)

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5)

As we choose to believe and act on the truths that God tells us about who He is and who we are in Him, we build a brand new life. It is a choice. It takes work. We have to act in new faith that God cares and God will take care of us. Lies keep us in bondage. Knowing and living the truth sets us free.

Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to follow his paths and to keep his laws so that you will live. Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and to cling to him, for he is your life and the length of your days. (Deuteronomy 30)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012 -- WHO AM I (2)

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One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Romans 8. It contains so many sentences that speak of amazingly encouraging and helpful words from God about our life with God in recovery. These are words that tell me who I am. I often forget. I need to regularly remind myself to "buck up" and live into these words. I have had to reject ugly things from my head and heart that don't belong there based on these words. What freedom this little practice has brought me -- naming who God says I am.

I am free from all accusation and condemnation. Any sound that accuses me is not the sound of God and I have every right to ignore it and call it for what it is -- a lie that has no power over me.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to . (Romans 8:1-2)

I am free from the control of sinful desires. When my mind is drawn to harmful thoughts, I can call on the Spirit of God who will come close to me and lead me to life and peace.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace ... You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (Romans 8:5-6, 9)

Nothing can separate me from God's love -- no harm done to me nor any failure on my part.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 -- WHO AM I?

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As we go around the circle of the Partners in Hope Christian 12-Step meetings we name ourselves both by our given names and by our relationship with God -- whatever that looks like to us today. God has a word about that relationship as well and in these next few days we'll look at some of the things God says about who we are. Some days we will feel as though these things are true and other days our emotions will be a mess. Particularly on the difficult days, it's helpful to tell ourselves these wonderful truths. Emotions change but truth remains.

God says:

I am God’s child.

But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

I live in right relationship with God today because I have faith in Him, not in my own behaviours.

We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ's friend.

I no longer call you servants, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me. (John 15:15)

I belong to God and I'm a significant person in God's family.

And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body. All of you together are the body of Christ .... Each one of you is a part of that body.(Ephesians 1:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 12:27)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012 -- A LIVING WAY TO FACE PROBLEMS

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God is always with me. I need never face my problems alone. Together with God, any difficulty can be worked out and overcome.

Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. God promises: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you. And we know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. (John 14, 1 Corinthians 10, Philippians 4, Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 5, Romans 8)

Confusion and worry are easy to find in my head and heart, God but release them to you. You have the wisdom and power to run the universe so you surely are wise enough to give me helpful solutions for my problems. I choose to let you create peace in the middle of my worries as you show me how much you care for me. I trust you to meet my needs today and how to co-operate with your plans. I choose to live life on your terms today, not mine. I believe that you will make good out of everything, even my mistakes. I’ve often been afraid of all sorts of things about myself and life, but today I surrender my heart and mind to you, Jesus, so you can grow peace in me and show me how to live without fear.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 -- MY LIFE OF BEAUTY AND VALUE

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My life is of great beauty and infinite value. God has a plan for my life that is meaningful, purposeful and joyful. There is a work for me to do today that will bless others and give me deep satisfaction.

The LORD your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you. God says: I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in. (From Zephaniah 3, Jeremiah 29, Ephesians 2)

God, you have made in love and beauty. I believe you created me to accomplish good things today and every day of my life. I choose for your plans today. Use me today for your purposes. Show the world your love and kindness through me. Make my life useful for your Kingdom today. I choose to let you make alive in me the truth that you delight in me and that you sing over me with joy. I choose to let you make a new way of living in me, particularly where character defects have previously torn me down. I believe you are offering me a life of meaning and purpose today, with a work to do that will bless others and give me deep satisfaction. I will work and trust you to make me fruitful in my labour.

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012 -- LOVED WITHOUT CONDITION

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I am loved by God, always. I am loved without condition.

The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him. The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him, So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for him to save us. May the Lord bless you and take care of you; May the Lord be kind and gracious to you; May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (From Lamentations 3, Numbers 6, Romans 5)

No matter what I face today, God, you will be with me. You love me without condition. I have nothing to prove to you today, nothing to accomplish in order to earn your love. You care about me and you want to be good to me today. I invite you to do that. I put my hope in you today. I will wait patiently for you, listening for your voice so I am saved from those things that would harm me. I choose to let you be kind and gracious to me today. I choose to believe that you look on me today with favour. You made me and you like me. I choose now and throughout each day to receive the acceptance and unconditional love you offer me.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 -- A PERSONAL PLAN FOR 2012

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God’s plan for us in this new year is suited to our unique talents and abilities – a plan that is meaningful, purposeful and joyful. Our task is to believe God when He says our lives are valuable and then to put our lives into His hands so He can use us for the His purposes for us. That’s where complete fulfillment and deep satisfaction come from … doing the fulfilling the work for which we were created.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV)

God’s plan is that each of us will participate in work each day that blesses others and gives us deep satisfaction. There is an old saying that “idle hands are the devil’s playground.” How often we fill our free time and overcome our boredom by turning to our addictions and dependencies. Time can be our friend or our enemy. God wants to help us use our time wisely as we engage in fruitful ministry. That might mean looking for paid employment. It might mean becoming involved in volunteer work and offering our gifts and talents in that way. It might mean exploring what training to prepare for a work that expresses my gifts. It might mean doing something for my kids or cleaning up in my house or taking care of errands that I’ve been procrastinating about. It’s often a combination of activities. If I’m feeling bored and my day seems empty, I’m living my own plans rather than God’s plans for me for 2012 because when I am engaged in God's plans I will be living in what is pleasing, and good, and perfect.

“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is” (Romans 12:2).

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012 -- IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

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God is perfect. God loves beauty. God gifted the finest artists throughout history with vision and skill to paint and sculpt beautiful pieces that awaken appreciation and imagination in us. God is the ultimate artist and He has marvelously expressed that beauty is human beings. With care and love and attention to the finest details, God crafted us.

“[God], You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb…Your workmanship is marvelous…You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book…How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. (Psalm 139). God has even counted the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10).

God’s attention and artistic skill did not end the day we were born. In the same way a weaver takes many threads and weaves them into intricate patterns for a wall hanging or a rug, so God continues to weave beauty into the world as He brings together the details of each day of our life. Every day of our life is recorded and God’s attentive presence in each of those days is clearly seen by the vast number of times He thinks about us. One handful of sands contains thousands of grains. How many grains of sand cover every beach on earth? God’s thoughts turn towards us more often than that. When you multiply that number by 80 or 90 years, it means quite a few thousand thoughts from God, on our behalf. Which details of our life are left to chance and error? None. God is making something beautiful of our life.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012 -- THE WELCOME OF THE NEW YEAR

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How do we welcome God into our lives in this new year? How do we ensure that this year truly is different and better than any year that has gone

First of all, by a simple decision to live in relationship with God. Second, we surrender our own twisted thinking to God’s description of life and we start obeying a new set of principles life, as described in the Bible. We need to read God’s word and learn what God says works in this new life. It’s a lifetime of new choices for God’s way rather than my own. Mature Christian friends can help us sort through priorities in the beginning and know where to start with new lifestyle choices. Third, when God’s way of living and my usual way of doing things conflict, I need to change and turn to the new way. Ongoing surrender is vital to a new life. Fourth, we need to talk to God and share our lives, our circumstances, our hopes and our dreams with God and trust that God hears, God understands, and God cares. Fifth, God stresses that we are to reach out to care for others, and share the good new with them by our life and by our words.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

It’s a new year, a new beginning. Will I have more of the old this year or will I welcome God’s new way of life?

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012 -- ASTONISHED BY THIS GOOD LIFE

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God is completely filled with beauty, goodness, and kindness. He has nothing ugly, nothing bad, and nothing harsh or unkind in His nature. We are created in that same beauty, goodness, and kindness because we are created in God’s image. On top of that, when we invite Him in, God chooses to come and live His wonderful nature in us and through us.

There is nothing ugly, nothing useless, nothing broken beyond repair about any of our lives. There is no hopeless set of painful thoughts we have to carry on with. There are no heavy burdens of painful guilt, shame, or rejection that need weigh us down. God makes a new life of beauty, goodness, and kindness available to us right now. He always has. He is now offering. He always will. This new life is actually wonderful beyond our ability to imagine it.

The wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. .....“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” .... But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:7, 9-12)

God is inviting you and I today to a new life with Him where we are astonished over and over again by our experience of goodness. Will we give over the old life to God? Will we welcome and enter into the new, unimaginably beautiful life God is offering us today?

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2012 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Happy New Year! A time of new things, of new hopes and dreams. A time of new beginnings. Jesus is the source of all new beginnings. Because He is the creator of new things and new people, Jesus has the power to re-create us and give us brand new lives when we give ourselves to Him. Unfortunately, many of us, for a long time, thought we had to try to bring about a new beginning for ourselves and then give ourselves to God. We have it backwards. While we struggle, God invites us to come. If we believe in His power to change us, accept Him and the new life He offers, we will become children of God filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

The Bible teaches us about Jesus, the living word when it says: In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. (From John 1)

The same power that created the universe is available to create a new life from our shattered hopes. The light of that life that exposes and drives away the darkness of the human race is the same light that brightens the dark corners of our personal world. The source of all life and true light of the world is the source of our recovery. Eternal life and true recovery are ours when we believe what God says. We need to renounce our tendency to do things our own way and receive the one whom God sent to help us.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011 -- Invitation to New Life In A New Year

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In just a few hours the new calendar year will be upon us. On what basis can we hope to truly have a new and better new year? When we come into recovery after a long time in addiction we sometimes feel overwhelmed because we have so much stuff to wade through - so many unanswered questions in our minds, and so many painful things in our hearts. If we've come and gone from recovery before then we are often worried about our ability to maintain sobriety with any level of peace and joy for any length of time.

God's answer is very positive, very simple and very direct. It comes in the form of an invitation: Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (Ezekiel 18:30-32) (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This invitation is new every moment of every day no matter what circumstances the previous five minutes or five years have been. Jesus is available as our friend, our healer, and our Saviour, in every upcoming moment of our lives. Will we have Him? If we will, we will know the happiest new year we've ever had.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011 -- REFLECTING ON 2011

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These are days when many of the news programs and newspapers look back on the year that has been. We often find ourselves doing that as well. In past years when we had a gathering at the House of Hope on New Year's Eve we'd often stop just a few minutes before midnight to reflect on where we were in our relationship with God a year ago and where we are now. God is growing us in His goodness every moment we offer our lives to Him. We may have done that better on some days than on others but God's own promise to us is that He is faithful to take us forward with Him until we are absolutely perfect.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

But what do we do with all that we see in our year that wasn't perfect? It is God's commitment to us that if we will simply turn away from all offenses -- those done by us and those done to us -- then sin will never again be our downfall. We will never live in fear and resentment and bitterness and woundedness again that will drive us back into an addictive mindset and ultimately some kind of addictive attitude or behaviour. God's offer is a new heart and a new spirit. In fact, God offers a brand new person, a brand new life with the old gone.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Let's put the events of the past year where they belong, inside the forgiving and healing of Jesus Christ. Let's give ourselves to Jesus again today and have the fresh start He loves to give to us.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011 -- THE GIFTED LIFE

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One of my favorite Christmas songs is “The Little Drummer Boy” because in spite of being a little guy with not very much, he “gets it.” He wants to do something for the new king but initially, doesn’t know how. He’s not a rich wise man. He doesn’t have anything even close to gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The little guy thinks and he realizes that while he may not have an expensive present to give to Jesus, He can play his drum for him. And so he does and as the song goes, “The ox and lamb kept time … I played my drum for Him ….. I played my best for Him …”. From what he had the little drummer boy took a risk, reached out and offered his gift to Jesus. There’s recognition when he’s done playing that it was a good thing, a lovely gift, and the right thing because the last line of the song says, “Then he (Jesus) smiled at me …. Me and my drum.”

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:16-18)

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:13-15)

One of the wonderful ways we can live in a new way is the leaving behind of our self-centered, self-pitying “poor me” ways. We can live the “gifted” life and bless God and others so that we regularly see and enjoy the “smile” of God. It’s not about having a lot of money and influence. It’s about receiving, recognizing, and sharing what we have in a desire to bless someone else.

What have we received from God? God wants to give us new life. Have we received it? If not, why not now? When Jesus comes to live in us He fills us with good gifts. What gifts do I have? What abilities? What time? In what small or large ways can I offer something to another person that will bring a smile to their face because their heart has been touched? What gifts of thankfulness and worship will I offer to Jesus this Christmas season to acknowledge who He is – the real King?

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011 -- SHARING GIFTS

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In the Christmas story we find the part about the wise men who saw a star in the distance and went on a journey because they were convinced that a king had been born and they wanted to honour him. One of the ways they chose to show their respect and worship was to bring gifts. They brought expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Not only do we get new life for ourselves this Christmas, but we get gifts to give away to others. Jesus promises to live in us and to fill our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit lives in us He gives us gifts,

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men and women.” (From 1 Corinthians 12)

God fills our lives with abilities and talents, plans and understandings that allow us to make a positive and joyful difference to our circumstances and all the people in them. Christmas is a great time to remember that life is about sharing – both giving and receiving. To share a gift we have to acknowledge that we have one.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 -- Connected

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Christmas -- it really happened! God has come to our planet. He has broken through into our dimension of existence. We may never comprehend how or even why, but the fact is he came by way of a Bethlehem manger. Jesus demonstrated who he was, astounding the masses with his miraculous feats and his seemingly upside-down teachings. No one was really able to ignore him. Jesus drew individuals to Himself with a mysterious power and tender compassion.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8)

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. (Isaih 7:14)

Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk. I took my people up in my arms, but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them. I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek; I bent down to them and fed them. (Hosea 11:3-4)

The coming of Jesus to our world and to us is a powerful witness to the truth that our ordinary and simple lives matter. We are assured of God's love for us and His acceptance of us. We are loved not simply as one of the masses but as individuals with unique personalities. It is this individual attention and affirmation by the God who created us and who chooses to come close to us that gives meaning and purpose to our lives. We are significant people because of our connection to God our creator through Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - Not Home For The Holidays

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Christmas is the family holiday in many cultures. In Asia it's Chinese New Years. Everyone knows its time to make a special effort to be with family, to return home. When we can't be at home there is a real sense of longing and pining for what cannot be. Can those of us who are not at home still celebrate a full and rich Christmas without being fake?Joseph and Mary teach us that it is possible.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7 NIV)

These two were displaced at a crucial time in heir lives. All alone in a stable -- a less than perfect spot -- they make ready and welcome not only their Son Jesus, but also other guests sent by Angels of God.

We celebrate Jesus who chose displacement from heaven in order to accompany us until we could respond to His invitation to come to the Father 's house.

This Christmas we need to look into our hearts before we look at our circumstances and see the amazing guest who has come to share the holiday with us. Jesus is here. Let's be at home with Him these days so close to Christmas.

Friday, December 16, 2011 -- Wake-Up Call

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Christmas -- it really happened! God has come to our planet. He has broken through into our dimension of existence. We may never comprehend how or even why, but the fact is he came by way of a Bethlehem manger. Jesus demonstrated who he was, astounding the masses with his miraculous feats and his seemingly upside-down teachings. No one was really able to ignore him. Jesus drew individuals to Himself with a mysterious power and tender compassion.

As we wake up from the haze of our pain and addictive habits we are invited to recognize that God has come to us. God has broken through our seemingly meaningless existence. He desires to demonstrate to us who He is, the miracles He makes available for us, a new way of life that seems upside down in comparison to our old way of doing things. He has a compassion and power that awakens desire and hope in us that often surprises us. Like Mary when the angel of God appeared to her we wonder, "But how can this be. I am only …… "

Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her. "For God has decided to wonderfully bless you. Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God. …. Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to do whatever He wants. May everything you said come true." (Excerpts from Luke 1)

Christmas is a wake up call so we can hope again, long again for something good and meaningful to be fully alive in us.

Thursday, December 15, 2011 -- Treasures of the Heart

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In our recovery, painful thoughts of a guilt-ridden past or an uncertain future often intrude and disrupt the present. Some days these disrupting thoughts cause us to feel depressed. Certainly these darker issues must be faced for us to break free from the patterns of the past. But Mary shows us how thoughts about positive things can lift our spirits and give us the courage to take the next step. She meditated on the things God was doing and wanted to do in her life. When we do the same, we take a step toward recovery and wholeness. Pondering the joy with the sorrow, the awesome with the awful, and the gain with the pain will lead to emotional and spiritual healing.

Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. (From Luke 2)

The wonder of God's love is that we are accepted and forgiven all that has been wrong and ugly in our lives. Perhaps it's time to shift the focus of the reflection that goes on in my heart from seeing the ugliness with guilt and shame to seeing the forgivenss and healing and acceptance with wonder and gratitude. It's time to look at everything from our past as a treasure. When we were weak, God was strong. When we were unfaithful, God was faithful. When we were confused, God directed us along a safe path. When we were wounded and broken, God comforted and healed us. Amazing gifts to treasure.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 -- EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER

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Encounters with the living God inevitably bring fear. So the angels had to reassure the shepherds, "Don't be afraid!" The shepherds were ordinary people living ordinary lives. No one paid them much attention let alone sought them out to give them priority invitations. God, who is amazing beyond imagination, chose to come near ordinary people to invite them to come close to Him. The invitation gave witness to God's acceptance of them and desire for loving relationship with them. Once the shepherds realized that God accepted them and wanted to communicate with them, they were free to worship the Christ child.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. (From Luke 2)

The fact that Jesus came in the flesh reassures us that our holy and almighty God is also a personal God who knows us and wants to share life with us. God is with us. God is for us. We need not fear the unknown future or the all-too-familiar past. God who knows all about yesterday, today and tomorrow and welcome. He comes to wrap my ordinary life in His extraordinary love. His perfect love for me is unconditional and unending. Responding to His amazing invitation fills my life with perfect love that casts out all fear.

Tuesday, December 12, 2011 -- UNFIT WELCOME

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The welcome that Jesus received in Bethlehem is a good illustration of how most people respond to him today. The original manger scene was a cold and dirty cave. Jesus entered a world unfit for his royal presence. God's willingness to enter our world, darkened and dirtied by sin, is a reason to be thankful. We don't have to clean up our act first in order to make room for him. When Jesus comes into our life, he accepts us as we are. God is not afraid of dirt. God comes to us, wherever we are so He can save us from the filth and pain.

Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. (From Luke 2)

What makes my inner world unfit for the presence of Jesus? How do I fail to make room for Jesus in my life? In these days before Christmas, unfit though my heart is, perhaps I could welcome Jesus to come to be with me and find great peace and joy as He says, "Yes."

Monday, December 12, 2011 -- Comfort and Trust (2)

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We were never meant to try to build relationships on our own. God knew we’d just fail and we have proved Him right over and over again. We get hurt and disappointed. We harm and disappoint. Is there any hope for us to actually live well again in relationships that provide comfort and trust? God sent us a Saviour to make a way. That’s the amazing gift of Christmas.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. (From Isaiah 40)

God has made the effort to come to earth to be with us, to communicate His love to us in a way we could understand. God has reached out to us as far as one can reach. This coming, this communicating, this reaching -- these are the building blocks our hearts need so we can learn to trust again. God has made promises to us. God has communicated His plans and promises over and over again and will keep on doing it until we “get it.”. God has fulfilled every one of his promises in amazing ways. God is with us. We can dare to hope again. We can dare to trust. We can dare to celebrate.

Friday, December 9, 2011 -- Comfort and Trust (1)

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Comfort and trust -- how do these two go together in my life and what does "Immanuel" have to do with that?

Jesus volunteered to come to us from heaven. He willingly offered to leave comfort and completeness in relationship like we’ve never known, so He could come close to us and show us dependable companionship. Within the safety and the comfort of God’s favour and unfailing love for us, we were meant to have the strength and care that would enable us to develop sound and trusting relationships in our circles of family and friends.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” .... But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. (From Luke 1)

We receive lasting comfort by putting our trust in God, who is always with us. Sometimes God gives us immediate deliverance from a painful situation. Sometimes He walks with us as we work with problems that just won't seem to let go. Our pain may be a direct consequence of the mistakes we have made in the past; or it may be the result of someone else's failure. Whatever the source of the pain, when we place our trust in Jesus, we receive his peace and blessing. God sees. God cares. God knows. God delivers.

Thursday, December 8, 2011 -- Invitation to Approach and Be Comforted

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Can A Person With a Broken Past Really CELEBRATE Christmas? Christmas is a season full of promise of joy and good things but for many it is also a time of disappointment. In many families it's a time where addiction and violence come forward in unsettling ways. For many others it's a time of memories that trouble hearts and minds. God offers us forgiveness, acceptance, tenderness, and comfort. We can be well and live well in whatever family circle we are this Christmas or however distant from family we are IF we receive what God is offering freely to us in these days.

The angel said, "She (Mary) will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means "God with us." (From Matthew 1)

Before time began God knew we would be people in need of help in order to live in safe and trusting relationships. He created us that way. He made us to long after a “life-beyond-this-life” relationship with Him as the core around which we could welcome safety and comfort in every other relationship. When God made humans He commented how it wasn’t good for them to be alone. Clearly, we are created for relationship. Is it any wonder that when the devil wants to destroy and steal from our lives, he works so hard to break down relationships. All we have to do is walk in isolation for any reason at all and we’ve moved outside the plan for life and goodness that God created us to enjoy.

Christmas reminds us in the most clear way possible that God made a choice to come close to us in order to restore a life of relationship for us.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 -- Rebuilding Trust

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Trust can be rebuilt when it has been broken, but this does not happen automatically. Such a process takes work and commitment, especially when a relationship has been characterized by broken promises. This was the challenge that Joseph and Mary faced.

Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. (From Matthew 1)

Mary and Joseph's mutual commitment to God and trust in Him served as a foundation upon which their trust in each other could again be established. Joseph and Mary were open to God's will and were willing to change their opinions about one another and the circumstances of their lives. In the process they also learned that things are not always what they seem and that relationships should not be destroyed by assumptions that are not confirmed with facts.

As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (From Matthew 1)

Trust in God is foundational for trust between people. Even though it is challenged, trust can always be rebuilt if God is at the center of the relationship. We have a choice each day to live with faithfulness and integrity in our work relationships, our friendships, and our families as we continuously filter our perspective about the relationship according to God's voice.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 - FINDING REST IN WEARY TIMES (2)

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We’re sometimes weary because we’ve been trying to solve life’s problems alone. New energy comes when we step back and give God a chance to direct us. God sees more and knows more than we do. God wants to show us His will and plan so we can experience life as satisfying. Actions based in our own control issues leave us with an underlying sense of guilt, shame or dissatisfaction. That leads to a weariness and a feeling of being burdened down.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40)

When I’m tired and weary for this reason God reaches out to me with tender care and loving attentiveness. God calls me to settle down and take a moment to remember He’s with me. The God who died on the cross to forgive all my sin and rose from the dead in loving victory stands before me today affirming to us over and over again, “I have what you need. Come and learn from me. Receive love and strength from me right now. Ask me to direct you. I’ll show you a good way to act in this moment so mercy and peace can fill you and surround you no matter the challenge before you.”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011 -- FINDING REST IN WEARY TIMES (1)

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God says, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Isaiah 32)

It is a common human experience to sometimes be tired. We get tired for many reasons. Sometimes because we work hard. We live with many demands and lots of stress in our daily lives. We get tired when circumstances seem too much for us. We get tired, also, when life is empty and there’s no structure. Lack of meaningful activities brings a tiredness of soul as well. We feel exhausted when relationships don’t go well. We tire when we try to make headway with various challenges and feel “stuck”.

When we experience tiredness we must try to honestly ask ourselves, “Why am I tired and weary? What does God want to do about it?” Based on the answer to those questions we need to take appropriate action because God invites us to live in places of rest. In fact, God promises that those who follow Him will live in undisturbed places of rest.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest …. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt. 11)

Friday, December 2, 2011 -- LIVING WITH APPRECIATION

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God promises us life in all it’s fullness. We get in the road of God’s provision by following our own compulsions (our need for material security, pleasure, satisfaction, status, control, recognition, possessions, power) instead of seeing and appreciating God’s provision. We need to put away fear that take us away from the truth that as we give ourselves to God, God will provide for us. We need to live today as a new opportunity to grow in God’s goodness and to see that expressed in our lives.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has scattered his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 9 & 12)

God wants us to live in His grace. When we do that, it opens us up to new possibilities and fill our lives with contentment and appreciation for all we are and have. To live in God’s grace frees us from being anxious about our own needs and circumstances. It changes us without destroying our effectiveness to be responsible today. Receiving God’s grace clears our vision so we see our talents and resources and makes us more sensitive to people, events, and things around us. Living with God in contentment and appreciation makes us more gentle and less frantic, and more willing to listen than to direct.

God promises us everything we need today. What has God given me? How have I walked in my own ways and missed what God had for me? Will I now turn back to God and let God give me the grace He longs to pour into my life?

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 -- THE GIFTED LIFE

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These are days of considering Christmas gifts for those we love
whether close family members or those on the margins for whom God
wants to come close and gift with new love. God has given all of us
gifts -- gifts to use in giving His blessing away. In the same way
that gifted athletes or gifted musicians, or gifted speakers spend
years of study or practice to bring their ability to excellence, so
the gifts of God we find in ourselves are often in an “unformed and
needing to be developed” state. The only way to get the full benefit
of our gifts for ourselves, for God, and for others is to keep doing
what we can do and improve how we do it through repeated practice. It
doesn’t matter what our gift is, the more we do it, the better we get.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in
purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of
Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift,
which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of
elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give
yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch
your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do,
you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

The gift of our lives, the gift of Jesus' love alive in us, the gifts
of the Holy Spirit operating within us -- these are all resources God
is longing to bless in us in this season in order to use us to give
good gifts to others around us. As we look at the gifts in our lives
can we still say with Mary, "Nothing is impossible with God .... May
it be to me as you have said."

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2011 -- CONFIDENCE (3)

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Once we begin to build our confidence in the good talents God has given us, we need to become "confidence builders" in one another. People in relationships need to tell each other "I believe in you. You have potential you haven't begun to tap into. I am excited to see what God is going to do through your life as you take risks and grow in confidence." We need to stretch each other and challenge each other to take a confident step and be willing to take risks for the sake of growth. We need to let each other know that we'll stay alongside as the challenge is accepted. We need to identify through compliments and gratitude how those around us are making good use of their skills and gifts. We need to faithfully and generously also stick with them as they learn through their stumbles and their failures. No one ever gets everything right the first time. Confidence crushing comes when we walk out on someone when they fail rather than placing their stumble within the context of their journey of growth.

Does it mean anything to you that we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing the same Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic at all? Then make me truly happy by loving each other and agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, working together with one heart and mind and purpose. (Philippians 2)

Jesus left heaven and risked powerlessness and deep loneliness in order to rebuild relationship between us and our Heavenly Father. He took the risk of the cross, trusting that His Father could do something with the wishy-washy disciples who deserted and betrayed Him and then hid in fear. With full knowledge that Peter would betray Him, Jesus built confidence into Peter by praying for him and preparing him to "build up His brothers" after Peter had repented. Peter grew into an amazing leader. Jesus is our model for building confidence in others.

Am I letting God build confidence in me? Am I allowing God to use me to build confidence in others around me?

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011 -- CONFIDENCE (2)

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God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. (Ephesians 2)

As it is with a physical body, so it is with us and individuals in community. If we isolate any one part of a body and examine it, apart from its proper place among the other members, it may seem odd and useless. Only when we are connected to a community of people and doing our appointed job are we able to realize our usefulness and grow in our confidence about who we are and where we belong.

Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts. We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. (Romans 12:4-6)

So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. It is God's plan that all of us, together, would complete the fullness and richness of the life we each experience. When God created humans he said it wasn't good for them to be alone and he gave them to one another with complementary tasks and responsibilities. It's time we lived the truth that we need each other in a God planned life. As we give ourselves in loving service, confident in the person we've been created to be, God will fulfill the desires of not only our own hearts but those of our colleagues and friends as well.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011 -- CONFIDENCE

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As a member of the human race, we are extraordinarily gifted for the mere reason that we were created in the image of an awesome God. The first step in developing self-confidence is acknowledging the presence of our God-given potential. We are gifted because God says so.

O Lord … You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it. (Psalm 139)

To develop confidence we often have to demonstrate our gifts and talents to ourselves. How do we do that? We take a risk and do something we haven’t done before. We leave the safety and security of our comfort zone in order to learn something new. This might mean having a talk with a counselor or pastor, signing up for a class, volunteering our time, doing service work in a support group, participating in a small group Bible fellowship, applying for a job or a training course, People who never leave their comfort zones don't grow in their confidence. We develop confidence by gritting our teeth and saying, "If I am fearfully made, and I have all of this divine potential within me, I'm going to try something new and see what happens."

God was not lying when He said that He gave gifts to everyone. God wants me to make a difference for good today. God has equipped and empowered me to do that. Will I step forward, confident in who He says that I am and live fully as the amazing person He's created me to be?

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011 -- CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP (2)

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A Christian friend, then, is someone who can be a loving witness to our new life and who can also provide perspective on our spiritual journey. He or she is someone who can appreciate what we are doing and how we are growing. We look for a friend who can keep a confidence and listen with empathy. We seek someone who will not criticize us, but who will be able to suggest to us any obvious places where we are living in ways that injure ourselves or others.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you, who belong to Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5)

God has extended the ultimate friendship to us through His son Jesus Christ. As we respond to his loving invitation we will find peace and security that will allow us to live well as friends with one another.

As we reflect on the support and encouragement we can receive from a faithful friend, we need to also ask ourselves who is finding that kind of support and encouragement from us. How are we giving the gift of attentive listening and appreciative observation to others around us? The one who is a good friend is the one who has the most good friends. God knows this and lived the first example "We loved because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) God invites us to a wonderful life as we follow His example and become good friends to other lonely individuals today.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011 -- CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIPS

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Christian friendships are characterized by mutual respect and sharing. We are invited to watch the example of those who live a life of peace and careful ministry and then to try and put into practice the things they do. We are invited to pray for each other so God can grow more and more of His character in us and bless us in every set of circumstances.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend. (Proverbs 17:17) (Job 16:20-21)

The bottom line of all healthy relationships is that we help each other know and serve God well. We need to pattern our lives after those who, despite difficulties, have successfully lived for Christ. It’s important to learn from their example and to hold our lives up before them for their counsel. Those who fail to examine themselves in light of God’s example and the supportive advice of good friends often end up enslaved by destructive habits and dependencies. Full life, however, can be experienced by trusting Jesus Christ and following in his steps. Jesus was good friend to 12 men and served them well. He also received friendship from them in return. All through the Bible we read of ways good friends cared for one another and helped each other walk with God and work for God. God has given us spiritual friends who will walk our journey with us to show us how to trust God and surrender our lives to His love and power.

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite. They brag about shameful things and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. (Philippians 3)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011 -- RELIABLE FRIENDS

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The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)

A number of us slid into destructive and addictive lifestyles out of a desire to have friends and companions. Loneliness is one of the greatest tests to our ability to maintain sobriety. We long to matter. We long to be known and supported. We long to have both people to look to and to be someone that others can look to for understanding and help. We long to be befriended. Thankfully, It is God’s desire that we live well in recovery as we center our lives on friendship with Him and with one another.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:13-15)

Friends can trust and rely on each other. We don't always need to agree but we respect each other's differences when we are good friends. We share kindness and understanding and stand by each other when others can't or won't. Good friends are there during good and bad times. They tell each other the truth -- both the truth we like to hear as well as truth we don't want to hear but need to hear.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011 -- REMEMBER/REMEMBER NOT

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "Remember/Remember Not"

I've been reflecting on "remembering" these days and shared with some women in a correctional facility on the the theme yesterday. My heart was touched with what King David wrote when he focused on the fact that God remembered him with loving-kindness because God was good. On the basis of that kindness and the filter of love and grace through which God viewed him, David could dare to also ask God to NOT remember his sins even though they were big.

I lift up my soul to You, O Lord. O my God, I trust in You. Do not let me be ashamed. Do not let those who fight against me win. Yes, let no one who hopes in You be put to shame. But put to shame those who hurt others without a reason. Show me Your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God Who saves me. I wait for You all day long. Remember Your loving-pity and Your loving-kindness, O Lord. For they have been from old. Do not remember my sins from when I was young, or my sinful ways. Good and right is the Lord. So He teaches sinners in His ways. He leads those without pride into what is right, and teaches them His way. All the paths of the Lord are loving and true for those who keep His agreement and keep His Laws. For the good of Your name, O Lord, forgive my sin, even as big as it is. (Psalm 25:1-11)
God is well aware of all that we are -- both flaws and gifts. God knows that we really can't go forward on any kind of sustained basis without His help and truth. We can run around and do some things we think are good -- and they might well be. However, only in the hands of God and under his direction do we really get to rest in the fact that we are doing what is right. We can also make some pretty ugly mistakes that seem to totally derail anything God might be trying to accomplish in our lives and yet we don't know how He's can use even the wreckage we cause. God sees the bigger picture. I pray today to walk without pride in what is right. I pray to be teachable. I pray to humbly surrender all I am and do to the Living God who alone knows paths that are loving and true. I live in gratitude for His ongoing forgiveness of my sin, big though it is.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011 -- DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE

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My heart was touched today as I watched young faces on parade honour an old veteran who watched them pass. A few minutes later as the crowds viewed wreaths laid, many added their personal poppy to the wreath or laid them at the base of the cenataph in honour of lives given for the freedom we enjoy in Canada today. Today we remember blood that was spilled on battlefields around the world by brave men and women who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and justice. There are many viewpoints on many wars -- whether they were wars for justice or not. Those arguments belong to another day. Today we simply remember that ordinary people like you and I cared enough about the world around them that they did what they could to ring freedom and safety, even to the point of giving their lives. Today we say thank you and seek to connect ourselves with the ultimate truth and freedom their actions point us towards.

GOD'S WORD

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23b-26).

MEDITATION

Not only do we have symbols of remembrance of war heroes -- poppies, moments of silence, ceremonies at cenotaphs around the country -- but as Christians we have symbols of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for love and freedom and justice. These are the bread and wine of the Lord's supper.

Why do we need Remembrance Day and the Lord's Supper? Because we are forgetful people. We need to be reminded to remember. On Remembrance Day, we hear the phrase, "Lest we forget." As Canadians, we should never forget the sacrifice of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in battle. And as Christians, we should never forget the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for our eternal salvation. Twice Jesus told His followers, "Do this in remembrance of me." It's as if Jesus said, "When I am gone, don't forget Me. Whenever you eat this and drink this cup, remember Me and all that I suffered for your sake." Remember my love. Remember how much I value you. Remember and live in gratitude. Live in wonder. Live in love and justice and freedom. Don't waste the gift. Don't distort the gift. Actually live with my love in mind, a love poured out for truth and justice and freedom.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 -- BECAUSE

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We often see behaviours in us we dislike and so ask God to change us. We want to act in loving, kind and respectful ways BECAUSE this is what God says is good and right and helpful. While God is ready and willing to come alongside us and help us behave better, at the same time, He is longing for us to know that His love and acceptance are not based on our ability to impress him with our good deeds. It's all based on His goodness, His gift and His grace.

8 For by His loving-favor you have been saved from the punishment of sin through faith. It is not by anything you have done. It is a gift of God. 9 It is not given to you because you worked for it. If you could work for it, you would be proud. 10 We are His work. He has made us to belong to Christ Jesus so we can work for Him. He planned that we should do this. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, if God accepts us on the basis of His grace and not our deeds, why should we obey God? Why should we have God remove our own independent ways of doing things?

Jesus said: If you love me, you will keep my commandments …. The one who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and the one who loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and I will reveal myself to him. (John 14)

We obey God BECAUSE we love Him. This great motivation is missing in many of our lives because we really don’t believe that God loves us unconditionally. We expect His love to be based on our ability to earn it and because we believe we can never do that, we believe we can take better care of ourselves. God first loved us and at the cross clearly demonstrated His love for us. We don't understand it. We don't deserve it but God is love and God gives love freely. Let's live well today BECAUSE we know deeply that we are loved always and without condition.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011 -- Problems! Problems! Problems! (3)

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Godempowers us to live in a changed way and gives us wisdom and solutions to applyto real problems. The third challengefor us in dealing with fear and discouragement is to remember that we are theones who must do the work to face the problem and work with others to findsolutions. God will be right there withus, but it is our hands and feet that will put new things into practice. We are responsible, with God’s help, tofaithfully work on problems until we see that the job is done. Some problems will be resolved fairly quicklyand others will take some consistent work over time. God will keep on giving us strength to dowhat we need to do today. God will keepon giving us answers and direction for the next step we are to take. Our challenge is to trust and to obey. So don’t get tired of doing what is good.Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing atthe appropriate time ... For I can do everything with the help ofChrist who gives me the strength I need. (Galatians 6:9, Philippians4:13, NLT)

God wants to help us. He wants to restore us. Hewants to give us abundant life, filled with love and joy and peace andhope. It’s available to us today.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011 - Problems! Problems! Problems! (2)

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We often think challenges come from ourrelationships, our mistakes or circumstances around us. However, the true challenges are those of ourown heart. If we are able to bring ourheart to an experience of God’s truth, the fearful circumstances will fade intosomething quite small and manageable. Ourfirst challenge is to remember that God is with us and not let theproblem choke that truth out of our minds and hearts. “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraidor discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

When we face difficulties and problems we oftenask ourselves some questions: Does God care? Does God care about me? Does God care about my situation today? It’s very easy to get blinded by pressuresand problems and to fail to see all the help and blessing that God is trying togive us. We often respond to problems bycomplaining and believing the lie that we have been rejected and abandoned andnow we have to “figure it out on our own.” Things don’t work the way we think they should and we blame God for nothelping us out. God is very clear aboutHis desire to help us and He’s also very clear about what clears the path forthat help to reach us.

Jesus says, So don’t worry about having enough food ordrink or clothing…Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and Hewill give you all you need from day to day IF you live for Him and make thekingdom of God your primary concern. (Matthew 6:25-34).

Godis not a magician who waves a magic wand into the wreckage of ourdecisions. God invites us to come and bewith Him and to follow His teachings and commandments from day to day. Then, and only then, will we find our worriesdisappearing as we see God’s help and blessing coming more and more frequentlyinto our lives. The second challengein dealing with problems is not to plead with God to “fix things for us” butrather to live according to God’s principles and priorities. Jesus told us that IF we lived for God andmade that the focus of our living that we’d have everything we needed from dayto day. Am I living focused on my needor on God’s kingdom?

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011 - Problems! Problems! Problems!

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Problems! Problems! Problems! Life seems full of themsometimes. One seems to pile up on topof another until we feel like it’s all too much and we don’t know what to do orwhere to turn. God is aware that we havecircumstances in our life that produce fear and discouragement. With us and those problems clearly in Hisview, God tells us to not be afraid because He will be with us and He will takecare of us. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord isthe one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will never fail you norforsake you”(Deuteronomy.31:8). God made the universe. God brings the sun up every morning and setsit down at night. God controls the powerof the ocean and protects a little flower that grows up through a crack in thesidewalk. God is able to care for us aswe confront our problems.

Certainly, every new situation, problem ordifficulty presents a challenge. Thereare things we don’t know and things we can’t control. We’re in need of learning new skills andfinding dependable helpers to come alongside us. We may be facing huge consequences related toour past addictive behaviour. On our ownit can seem frightening and overwhelming to figure out a plan and then to carryit out. If we didn’t know God’s heartfor us, we would fall under the weight of our own fear. But God’s word to us is: For I know the plans I have for you,” saysthe Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a futureand a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) With God, sorting out a problem or creating something new can be a greatadventure. With His help, we can conquer whatever tests of faith we face alongour path.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011 -- OCCUPY GOD'S WORLD

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "Occupy God's World"

All over North America and Europe there are demonstrations these days where protesters are "Occupying" Vancouver, or London, or Wall Street. They are concerned over the growing gap between the rich and the poor that signals to them that the worldwide financial system is failing. Whatever your position with regard to their thinking, they have set up tents and occupied a piece of real estate in a visible place in order to call attention to an issue of urgency.

God invites us to consider doing the same thing. This world is under the control of the evil one unless and until we act, under God's authority to occupy it for God's Kingdom. The territory we look to occupy is our own heart and mind and the space we take up in time today. In a world focused on self importance, personal rights and agendas, the issues that need to motivate our "occupation" are peace and joy in an atmosphere of mercy and grace and generous relationship. I

To win the spiritual battle we must be under God's authority. Only then can we resist the temptations of the devil to live for ourselves rather than for God and others. Trying to resist the devil without first submitting to God will wear us out and break us down. Submitting to God without resisting the devil will have the same effect. We must first submit to God, and then resist the devil. God's promise is that these two things, done in this order will have the result of the devil fleeing from us and freedom to live in loving relationship will flourish.

But God gives us more and more strength to stand against all such evil longings. As the Scriptures says, God gives strength to the humble but sets himself against the proud and haughty. So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 -- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "Satisfaction Guaranteed"

The ultimate lie of Satan is to get us to believe that we are God. In fact, we are neither the master of our fate nor the captain of our soul. God is in charge and He invites us to live in relationship with Him. If we are not serving the true God, then we are serving another god who deceives us into thinking that we are serving ourselves. Indulging our fleshly appetites doesn't satisfy them. It only creates a greater dependency and craving. Only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied. Those who find their identity, significance, and security in Christ will experience real life now and forever.

Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. (Matthew 5)

Jesus said, "For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lost it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again." (Matthew 16)

God doesn't tell lies. God is not looking to deprive us of good things. God informs us about the truth so we can live the safest, most satisfying, and most joyful lives possible. We do that best when we let God be God and we live in complete surrender to His direction.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011 -- FEAR -- FALSE EXPECTATIONS APPEARING REAL

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "FEAR_False Expectations Appearing Real"

FEAR -- False Expectations Appearing Real: We have false expectations of what others might do and of what we can dare to be. We are imprisoned by lies that appear to be real and so we live in fear. We hesitate and doubt because we're not sure what we'll find in a person, a situation, our future. This fear is an emotional controller that keeps us from living with full confidence. It sets the stage for many dysfunctional behaviours and attitudes. Many of us identify a fearful person as a coward, someone who is not assertive, shyness or someone cowering at intimidation. But fear can also be expressed by unrealistic bravado, excessive talking, busyness, and lying, to name a few. Fear is revealed in cover-ups and phoniness. It keeps us from being fully honest about who we are, prompting us instead to project false or only partially true images of ourselves.

God has something richer and safer for each of us. We can relax in His provision of a good life, and His protection from the forces that would try to harm us. When our emotions hinge solely on the opinions of other people, we are fearful because we can never be sure when we might be rejected or criticized or ignored. A human-based self-image is only as secure as the humans we entrust with our emotions. But a God-based self-image is different. God accepts us, weaknesses and all. We can live with confidence that our deepest expectations and hopes will be met by the God who lovingly guides us through all relationships and circumstances.

Perfect love casts out fear. (I John 4:18) We find that kind of love in only one place -- in God's heart.

They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalm 36:8-10)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011 -- When I Am Afraid

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "When I Am Afraid"

As we reflect this week on facing fear, I find Psalm 56 to be one of the most beautiful writings describing God's sure help in difficult circumstances. The writer lists traumatic and hurtful situations, one after another in the presence of God. Calls on God with the assurance that "God is for me." When nothing else seems to come together, "God is for us" is something we need to apply to our circumstances with trust. If we can't manage it on our own, it's time to call a friend to pray with us and help us pour this truth into our souls until they are washed in peace and rest and safety.

Psalm 56

Be merciful to me, my God, for myenemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. Myadversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

RESPONSE: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,God. I trust and I am not afraid.

All day long they twist my words; alltheir schemes are for my ruin. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps,hoping to take my life. Because of their wickedness do not let them escape

RESPONSE: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,God. I trust and I am not afraid.

Record my misery; list my tears on yourscroll. Are they not in your record?Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know, thatGod is for me.

RESPONSE: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,God. I trust and I am not afraid.

I am under vows to you, my God; I willpresent my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walkbefore God in the light of life.

RESPONSE: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, God. I trust and I am not afraid.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011 -- RUN TO THE LOVE

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "Run To The Love"

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Lions love to eat gazelle meat; however, it is very difficult for them to catch them because they run so fast. Instead, a group of young lions herd the gazelles in away from them. The gazelles easily outrun the lions and head off in the direction the lions have chosen, which is unknowingly towards a deep grassy area where a group of older lions are hiding. The older lions are too old and tired to be part of the chase; many are missing teeth, and would never be able to catch their own meat. When the gazelles are driven within close range of the older lions, they jump up and ROAR loudly. Immediately, the gazelles, responding to their perceived fear of imminent death, turn and run in the opposite direction, right into the mouths of the young lions.

The moral is that running from your fears and not facing them can often lead you into real danger and worse outcomes. In day-to-day life, the lions lying in wait may not be life threatening, but they are often false fears. Running away may mean we remain stuck and unhappy for a long time or until we face and move through our fear. The slogan or battle cry message of this story is "Go TO the Roar!"

In Christian terms I believe God invites us to "Run to the love - perfect love that casts out fear." (1 John 4:18) When the enemy of our soul pursues us and even uses trickery to try to get at us, God invites us to come to His love. Only He has the strength to send the enemy to flight.

God promises us: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Lion/Gazelle story found at: http://www.imakenews.com/worldwit/e_article000277764.cfm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011 -- ENDING THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION

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Listen to Elsie Quick read "Ending The Cycle of Addiction"

God is well aware that we cannot fix ourselves. Life is a gift. Healing is a gift. Recovery is something we can’t take credit for but certainly is something that we can receive and hold with care. Can I dare to open my heart and life to God so He can help me find and live the life I was created to experience and enjoy? God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)

There is more that is good in life than what we have seen or experienced. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it to the full.” (John 10:10) It is God’s one desire that we get rescued out of what’s disaster and chaos in every area of life and that we enter into the wonderful experience of our own life as God created it and planned it for us. The unique person we are is someone God chose to create in love with great joy. God sees our whole person. To every area of our life (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social) God makes this promise: “I will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

If I want to end the cycle of addiction and enter into a new way of freedom and hope, I need to build a new system of beliefs, remind myself of new information that supports and strengthens me, and begin to act as though these things are real no matter what I feel. I have to enter into a new life of dependence and trust in the Loving God who created me and who breathes life into me today because He has a good plan for me. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011 -- WHAT A FRIEND

2011-10-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "What A Friend"

During the troubled years of my life I felt like I had no one who knew what was going on in my life, no onewho cared. It felt like people came and went, asked for or just took what they wanted and then moved along leaving me alone to figure out and get things done that needed doing. Obviously I had a few things wrong in my heart and thinking that needed healing at that time. However, there are moments when for perfectly good or difficult reasons, we feel like we are on our own with no one to support us. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18)

The creator of the universe stands by our side, ready and giving so we can be successful with the tasks that have been entrusted to us today. We are not alone. The forces against us will not overcome us. God will use us to fully do the work that's been given us to do today and will take us safely to our destination. We are covered in the love and protection of the best friend we could ever hope to have standing with us.

PRAYER: The experience of being accompanied and guided by You, Lord, is such a gift. I pray that we will recognize You standing with us in everything today brings. You are healer, restorer, comforter, blesser, teacher, inviter and anything else we need for what's going on in our own lives and what you want to minister to those we encounter. I pray that we will remember consciously over and over again today, "But the Lord stood at my side .." Thank you. Amen

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011 -- ACCOUNTABILITY: THE CURE THAT LASTS

2011-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Accountability: The Cure That Lasts"

As we grapple with our addictions we are likely to avoid honest communication with others about our problems. It is important, however, that we return to the relationships that help us face the truth. Various Bible writers speak of the value of honesty, of dealing honestly and directly. Jesus also laid out specific instructions for dealing with people who have done wrong but persist in denial. Accountability and honesty in our relationships are essential to successful recovery. When we make ourself accountable to others, the caring influence of their friendship can help keep us on the right track. They can provide us with an objective perspective, helping us to admit the truth. We often become isolated as a result of our shame or the fear that we will be rejected if we ever reveal who we really are. Admitting our wrongs to a trustworthy person helps break down the isolation. What's our role as friends in recovery and brothers and sisters in Christ? How are we meant to be there for each other?

Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. (Excerpts from Galatians 6)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 -- Good Counselors

2011-10-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Good Counsellors"

In recovery we learn new ways of seeing things, new ways of responding, and new guidelines for making decisions. Our old patterns of thinking and living didn’t work very well. Now that we’re establishing new patterns, we’ll need counselors. They will supply the support we need and will listen as we share our story.

The Bible says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:22-23) One of the prophets spoke of Jesus in this way, “For unto us a Child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: ‘Wonderful,’ ‘Counselor,’ ‘The Mighty God,’ ‘The Everlasting Father,’ ‘The Prince of Peace’”. (Isaiah 9:6)

When we surround ourselves with dependable counselors, we are developing a safety net. Good counsel can come from the Bible, from pastors, from friends who know and live for God, or from books and media that honor truth as it is shown in Jesus Christ. When we admit our wrongs to other people they can also become a source of counsel for our lives. They may be professionals who understand addiction and recovery. They may be people who know us and who share God’s wisdom with us. Or perhaps they are people who have experienced what we’re now going through. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. We need the help of the Holy Spirit who is God given to us to guide us into all truth. We need to listen. We need to share honestly. We need to respond to honest feedback we are given. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011 -- LIVING GRACE (5)

2011-10-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Living Grace"

How does God view a relapse into the use of our addictivesubstance or harmful behaviour of choice? How does God view a time of living with hidden behaviours that we knoware weighing us down? How does God viewus when we are seemingly safe in circumstances of recovery yet still find ourselves caught in anger and discontent?

For God loved theworld so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believesin him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the worldnot to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone whobelieves in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judgedfor not believing in God’s one and only Son. So let us come boldly to thethrone of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will findgrace to help us when we need it most. (John 3:16-18) (Hebrews 4:16)

Do we get the message? God loves us. That's the onlything that matters every day in recovery or in relapse. God loves us. Can we dare to believe that? Can weget off our “high horse” of shame and regret and false pride and enter intothat gracious generous love? Can we remove the judgmentand choose to simply believe the love of the one who died for all of our sinfulfailures. It’s time to come boldly beforeour God who is gracious and who only wants to help us when we recognize we needit most. It’s time to receive comfortand strength and acceptance. It’s timeto be embraced by a love that will never not be there.

Relapse will become a thing of the past only when we beginto believe we belong to a gracious God and come boldly to stand in that graceand mercy. There's no convincing God togive it to us. It's already been given. Jesus has already died. Jesus' resurrecton through God's loving powerhas already broken the power of sin that drags us down. Victorious living withGod has been waiting for us to acknowledge all along. It's ours today.

What is God's response to a relapse -- visible or hidden,major slide or knee-skinning stumble? Ilove you. Let me embrace you. Come to me and live in my loving grace right now and always.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011 -- LIVING GRACE (4)

2011-10-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Living Grace"

Too many people live focused on obsessive thoughts or relapse prevention rather than living free in God's grace. Whether it takes a week or a year, if we live to simply "not pick up" we will pick up something. It might not our substance of choice but the discontent and anxiety within will lead us to some kind of mood altering behaviour -- sex, gambling, rage, spending, shopping for clothes or toys, work. God invites us to live in the joy and satisfaction of a life well lived today. How? Make knowing Jesus Christ as Lord our first priority.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:8-9)

The story has gone around the internet about a rich man who was horrified to find a poor fisherman lying lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe. When the rich guy asked the fisherman why he wasn't out fishing he todl him that he had enough fish for the day. "Why don't you catch more?" he was asked. "What would I do with more?" he questioned back. "You could earn more money, fix your boat, go out to deeper water, catch more fish, buy better nets, and more boats. Then you could be a rich man like me." "What would I do then?" the fisherman asked? "Then yuou could really enjoy life" the rich man said. To which the fisherman said, "What do you think I am doing right now?"

Whatever we are busying ourselves with today in order to be a better person is the same kind of wasted effort the rich man was suggesting to the fisherman. Everything we have ever wanted. All the good behaving we long to do is all a result of knowing Jesus and loving Jesus, and taking time to let the love of Jesus wash over our souls in word, in music, in prayer, in nature, in loving conversations with others. Everything else is worthless. Truly it is. It's time to evaluate our life with God in recovery to see if it is "life with God" in recovery.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011 -- LIVING GRACE (3)

2011-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Living Grace"

How do we prevent relapse into addictive behaviours and destructive lifestyles? Too many of us are so focused on not doing our "drug of choice" that we fail to see how the devil has lured us into other broken life patterns. Instead of acting in socially unacceptable addictions, we choose those mood altering behaviours that we see around us in the "normal" world. God wants to lift us up with honour, remove us from the poison of evil, and fill us with pure joy in a relationship of love and intimacy that is deeply satisfying.

Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. .... But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:4-11)

We have to turn our gaze away from our behaviours -- bad or good -- and turn back to see God's kind and generous face. It's time to first consider the love and loyalty that God gives us every day of our life. It's time to receive that love no matter what happened 5 minutes or 5 years ago. It's time to remember that God has come close to us even while we were running away. In love, God stands before us, offering to embrace us right now -- no accusation. No condemnation. He meets us with a simple smile of loving acceptance, a hug of gracious forgiveness. God invites us to come today to love and to grace, to forgiveness and loyal friendship like we have never before experienced. That's our first item of business today. Have we let ourselves be loved, washed, lifted, honoured by the living God today? Any other activity is first steps towards an addictive and destructive lifestyle.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 -- LIVING GRACE (2)

2011-10-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

God created the heavens and the earth and set them to run on certain laws. Gravity exists. When I push a bag of garbage into the chute I can't see the law of gravity but I can hear the bag hit the bottom and I know that the law of gravity is operating. In the same way, the law of love and grace also exists.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

God's world runs on love. It really does. Whatever is broken around us and in us is the failure of humans to know and respond to the foundational law of love. It was and is God's plan for us to know His goodness so deeply and fully that we would choose to be in relationship with Him and out of that fullness of love, care for life around us with love and respect. We can try to fix our behaviours. We can try to teach and educate people to live with respect for one another and care for the environment but it will all fall short unless we know that all good things we do can only be good if they are a response to love and grace freely given to us by God in heaven.

The law of grace and love in operation today in God's world is: If we want to behave better we have to know ourselves loved better. If we want to experience all that life has to offer us we have to receive it from the source -- from the loving hands of God. Our fundamental problem is that we think we can give ourselves better things than what God is giving so we avoid what God is giving and run after what we see before us. Only God is filled with love and only God fills things He gives us with love. Everything else is a fake and sooner or later we will see that it is all empty. Let's be real people living in loving relationship with a real God today. Let's come close to God so He can love us and fill us to overflowing with love for others.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:7-10)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011 -- LIVING GRACE

2011-10-17T13:06:00.001-07:00

Grace is often understood as something good that we freely receive when we deserve the opposite. We know that God gives us life through Jesus who died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Most of us coming out of addictive and destructive lifestyles have responded in one way or another to our need for forgiveness and Jesus' ability to give us what we cannot give ourselves. It sometimes seems to me that we stop short, though, of knowing and living in the grace that God has actually given us.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:2-3)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

God gifts us every day with a life that is good, that is gractious, that is filled with peace. His words are gracious in speaking life and hope and encouragement. We live with ugly sounds of condemnation and accusation so much when God is inviting us today to hear His words of uplifting kindness and faith. God is speaking fullness of life into our circumstances today, filling them with grace. We need to take a second look sometimes because we are used to seeing brokenness rather than what is filled with goodness and grace. Both exist around us but God is able to help us focus our vision on what is full of Him. Will we see it? Will we accept it? Will we receive it? Will we live in grace today? Nothing can separate us from the love of God that we have in Jesus Christ. There's no failure so ugly that we can stop God's unfailing and generous giving of grace to us today. It's available for us to receive and stand in right now. If life looks less than perfect, we must choose to remember that God is gracing us today. Where do we see things that look like God? We need to be with those things in our thinking, in our actions, in our accompanying. It's time to stand in the grace that's been given. It's useless to try to earn grace. Jesus has already died for it. Jesus has already said it is a gift for you and I to live in today.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011 -- Unforced Rhythms of Grace

2011-10-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

The true heart of any behaviour choice is relationship. Addiction says that only I matter and I need to do whatever I need to do to gain whatever I think I need. The only true way out of addiction is to live in relationship as I was created to live -- gently, gracious, and intimately with God, learning from Him the unforced rhythms of grace. My broken heart can only be healed in relationship with Jesus who gave up Himself and was broken for me.

God says: Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28 MSG)

Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. (Ephesians 4:30 MSG)

Do I want a life of intimacy with God in recovery? What would need to change in how I've been acting? How can I give myself over to God today so this deeply satisfying (and at the same time perhaps terrifying) relationship can come fully alive in me?

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011 -- A REALISTIC EXPECTATION

2011-10-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

God is well aware that we cannot fix ourselves. Life is a gift. Healing is a gift. Recovery is something we can’t take credit for but certainly is something that we can receive and hold with care. Can I dare to open my heart and life to God so He can help me find and live the life I was created to experience and enjoy?

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)

There is more that is good in life than what we have seen or experienced. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it to the full.” (John 10:10) It is God’s one desire that we get rescued out of what’s disaster and chaos in every area of life and that we enter into the wonderful experience of our own life as God created it and planned it for us. The unique person we are is someone God chose to create in love with great joy. God sees our whole person. To every area of our life (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social) God makes this promise: “I will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011 -- THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Listen as Elsie Quick reads "The Power of Gratitude"

What difference does it make if we are grateful or not? When we are grateful we find new strength to enjoy the day and new courage to build something better in our lives. When we give thanks we fill our lives with joy and become more likeable. People tend to hang around positive people. Our circle of friends grow. When we give thanks, a positive outlook begins to grow in us and we become people who are more confident. Good things happen around people who work for and expect good things to happen. When we give thanks we remember how much God is really working on our behalf. Our faith and trust grow and we begin to live for our family and our community instead of simple self-interest. We begin to experience the joy of being a part of community and a part of God's family. To give thanks is to give ourselves a new chance at life.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord or declare all his praise? (Psalm 106)

Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7(

Let's look at our circumstances today, no matter whether they look challenging or full of goodness. Let's look for the goodness of God in what is going on around us. Let's pray to our good and generous God for anything we need. Let's receive the peace and joy that God is offering us today in the middle of the very circumstances where we are right now.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011 -- A THANKSGIVING LIFESTYLE

2011-10-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Listen to meditation read by Elsie Quick

When thanksgiving became a way of life rather than a day on the calendar, life changed for me. This involved seeing all that "is" rather than all that "isn't." God's comforting and providing presence was the first thing I needed to see wherever I was because His promise to me was/is that He will never leave me nor forsake me and will always take care of me. I've learned to look for that presence and that care as a way of life (with a few speed bumps of course). I'll never be locked in the darkness of my past because I see God in my present. I will be forever grateful.

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1Thess. 5)

How can we give thanks when our world is falling apart around us? There are pressures in relationships, worries about finances and anxious thoughts about how to find enough money for food and rent for tomorrow. Sometimes there's guilt and shame around an addiction or a destructive habit or relationship. Life isn't what we thought it would be. The furniture is broken down. The kitchen is cluttered. The kids are acting up. There's no money for laundry. Home feels like a place to escape from rather than a place to settle and find comfort. How are we to give thanks in the middle of all that? What is there to be grateful for?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Phil. 4)

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8)

Listen to meditation read by Elsie Quick

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2011 -- GRATITUDE FOR GOODNESS

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to Evelyn Leeburn read meditation

This is a day of double blessing. In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, a time to remember God's blessing on those who first came from Europe to this land and the kindness of those they found here. It's also the Double Ten National Holiday of Taiwan, a land that is beautiful and which has endured hardship and blessing through it's history. I give thanks for many friends at Morrison Academy and beloved co-workers in Rong Mei Christian Church, people I shared life and ministry with for 15 years. Last evening I sat in a couple of gatherings in a correctional facility and we read Psalm 100 together in the manner I've included it below. We shared stories of what God was doing in our lives and in our families and what we are looking with hope for God to do as we go forward. We prayed in faith that He is good and His unfailing love is available to us right here, right now.

What more do any of us have, what more do we need than this amazing fact that the Lord is good and His unfailing love continues forever. This is true for individuals, for communities, for nations, for the world, and for all time. I am very grateful that I am included. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to share this good news here and abroad with so many faithful folks. I am grateful to share it with you.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Response: The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Response: The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
Go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
Response: The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever

For the Lord is good.His unfailing love continues forever,
And his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Response: The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011 -- IDENTITY IN RECOVERY (3)

2011-10-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Listen as Elsie Quick reads this meditation

Every day of my life was recorded in your book…How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. (Psalm 139).

God’s attention and artistic skill did not end the day we were born. In the same way a weaver takes many threads and weaves them into intricate patterns for a wall hanging or a rug, so God continues to weave beauty into the world as He brings together the details of each day of our life. Every day of our life is recorded and God’s attentive presence in each of those days is clearly seen by the vast number of times He thinks about us. One handful of sand contains thousands of grains. How many grains of sand cover every beach on earth? God’s thoughts turn towards us more often than that. When you multiply that number by 80 or 90 years, it means quite a few thousand thoughts from God, on our behalf. Which details of our life are left to chance and error? None. God is making something beautiful of our life.

Not only does God love and value us but He also has a special plan for each one of us. He wants to bless us and use us to bless others. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” … “We are God’s workmanship (His work of art, His masterpiece). He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Jeremiah 29:11 & Ephesians 2:10).

God’s plan for us is suited to our unique talents and abilities – a plan that is meaningful, purposeful and joyful. Our task is to believe God when He says our lives TODAY are valuable and then to put our lives into His hands so He can use us for the His purposes for us. That’s where complete fulfillment and deep satisfaction come from … doing the fulfilling the work for which we were created TODAY. "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011 -- IDENTITY IN RECOVERY (2)

2011-10-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

Meditation read by Evelyn Leeburn

God is not surprised by anything that has taken place in our lives and He cares. King David wrote in Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” God knows all about each day of our lives to date. We can bring into His light all those things we are keeping in darkness because even darkness is as light to Him.

When thoughts of relapse enter our thinking how we see ourselves in our new identity will make a difference. If we let the things of the past continue to shape who we are then we are clinging to our old self. If we see ourselves as having to perform to some standard of religious activity to stay clean and sober then we are relying on ourselves. To take on our new identity we need to see ourselves as new creations free of all past offences that would hinder our new life in Christ. We need to see ourselves living in the grace of God when trying times come. We need to acknowledge that we can come to Him for help to seek new ways of dealing with old temptations. We need to trust that God says is able to complete what He has started.

No one deserves the grace God pours out on us, it is a gift which needs to be received. Galatians 2:19-21 states, “What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.”

What difference does Christ make in how you identify yourself?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 -- IDENTITY IN RECOVERY (1)

2011-10-05T07:57:00.001-07:00

Meditation read by Evelyn Leeburn

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

Do you normally identify yourself as made in God’s image? Our identity or how we choose to explain ourselves is usually expressed in ways we perceive ourselves. We identify ourselves with our biological parents; the family in which we were raised; the country or town in which we live or lived; the schools we attended; the church and organizations we belonged to; the friends we made along the way; the work we were, or still are, involved in; our relationship to our spouse; our relationship to our children etc. etc. Do any of these truly explain the complex persons we are?

What happens when some of the identification points are marred by events which were totally out of our control or by choices we have made?

God knows all about each day of our lives to date. We can bring into His light all those things we are keeping in darkness because even darkness is as light to Him. When we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for all the sins committed against us and by us we become new creations. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011 -- LONGING FOR LIFE (2)

2011-10-04T03:28:00.000-07:00

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: God has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (1 John 4:13-16)

For a variety of reasons, we are reluctant to actually let love, particularly God's love have control of our lives. The first reason is that we are afraid of the big letdown. We've never known unconditional and faithful love. We've had promises broken and we've broken many ourselves. How can there actually be someone who is always faithful and loving, particularly when we can't quite get there ourselves? God promises this unconditional love. Only He can provide it. We have to make a leap of faith and trust this new safe love. An inventory of our heart requires that we find intentional surrender to God's loving care and control on the top shelf -- above every other thought or desire.

This produces the second reason we are reluctant to invite God into our lives. We want control of our destiny. The truth is that without God we are an individual in a life jacket tossed about in the middle of an angry sea thousands of miles from shore. What control of our destiny do we actually have? Too many of us still live the illusion that if we just do this or that, we can effect change in our lives. We must come to the realization that our best efforts are as futile for long lasting life as the swimmer's efforts in the raging sea thousands of miles from shore. We can hang on for a bit but sooner or later we will tire, lack of water or nutrition will wear us down, a wave will overpower us -- something will be too much and we will be lost. Do we have a life that is safe and long-lasting?

Monday, October 3, 2011 - Longing for Life (1)

2011-10-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)
It's hard work to let go of an addictive behaviour that we have used for pleasure and comfort. When we come away from the effects of the drug or the compulsive habit we are left with a conscious awareness that our life has pain, disappointment, and shame. Why bother facing all of that? What is the deeper longing in us that gives us the courage to face these things? It is the longing for life, the life God created for us, the full life that Jesus Christ came to make possible for us even though we were broken and lost.

When we do an inventory of our heart, do we find Jesus there? Without Him, we do not have all we need for successful living. Have we invited Jesus, who died on the cross for our shortcomings, our failures, our shameful deeds, our resentments, and our broken promises to come into our lives, forgive us for trying to live on our own and making a mess of it, and take control of all we are -- all we have been, all we are, and all we hope to become? In our search for life that satisfies, have we come to know and rely on His love rather than on our own restless, desperate grabbing for this or that?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 -- LIVING AS A GOOD PERSON (2)

2011-09-30T10:53:00.002-07:00

Listen as Elsie Quick reads this meditation

God, who knows our hearts, invites us to do good things for the right reason: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5) We are taught to have pure motives and compassionate hearts and to live our actions out of that motivation alone.

It is a common human need to be good. We were created to be good, to both receive and share good things generously. Unfortunately, that part of our character has been broken by sin and so now the need to be good often gets twisted into a need to seem innocent where we should admit guilt. As long as no one catches us, we really haven’t done anything bad. As long as we can find some problem in our background to explain our pain, we’re not responsible for our lives of addiction and irresponsibility. As long as some lawyer can find a reasonable judge or a technicality that can get us off, we don’t have to worry about cheating, stealing and assaulting that we’ve committed.

If we deny we do bad things, we suffer on the inside even if our reputation seems to hold together for a while on the outside. God clearly tells us that one of the great gifts of true goodness is the cleansing we feel after we’ve admitted our faults and our sins.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar and God’s word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1)

Nothing feels more refreshingly good than when we clean up -- whether our cars, our houses, or our hearts. It's God's plan that we live in good deeds that really are good and where they are fouled up to come to Him for immediate cleansing and refreshing. In those moments with God we don't just become "as good as new" but we truly become new -- just one of the many good gifts God pours out on us every day.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 -- LIVING AS A GOOD PERSON (1)

2011-09-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

God creates us in His image and God is good. However, we also have the potential for the opposite because we have choice for good or evil. At some point in life, most of us do something against our code of ethics and realize that we are not automatically good. Try as we might, we cannot keep all the rules. We may be able to fool the people around us, but sooner or later, if we are honest human beings, we can no longer fool ourselves. The Bible makes it very plain:

There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Romans 3)

As we grow in life, understanding what it means to do good and be good gets more and more complicated and vague. As a five year old we’re considered good if we share our toys, mind our parents, don’t pinch, don’t whine, and use tissues. For adults, goodness is more elusive. We do some things that seem good but there are often other motives hidden below the surface. We give a gift to someone in hopes of getting a favor in return. We try to help someone out have to tell a lie to do it. We look and act politely and friendly to someone’s face but watch what we say about them behind their back as we gossip and complain. We sell things quickly that are a “real bargain” because we know they are pretty much ready to break down. Our behaviour is often tainted. Our motives are often mixed.

God has a solution for this disconnect between what we try to be and what we actually are. The solution is Jesus. As we come to Jesus to know truth, even a truth that reveals the mixture of good and evil in us, Jesus will make a way for us that we cannot make for ourselves. He will forgive our sins. He will heal the wounds in us that send us down the sneaky paths. He will give us a place to live in His goodness so we can be safe and share that with other.

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6

WEDNESDAY, SEPBEMBER 28, 2011 – GENEROUS LOVE

2011-09-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

The Bible, and particularly the Gospels, are filled with clear examples of God’s love poured out to you and I and people all through time. Jesus came to earth to show us God’s heart and to invite us to build a life-giving relationship of love and generosity with Him. Jesus made a way that was impossible for us. Jesus poured out all of His life so we, who are spiritually dead, can know life that is good and rich and forever. Is it any wonder that His one command to us is that we respond to that generous love with a generous heart? Is it any wonder Jesus then immediately gave us a wonderfully human example of how to do that in the story of the widow who had nothing but gave two little coins – all that she had. God’s response to her action, “She’s given more than all the rest.” All giving has to be rooted in love or it is not a gift but rather something that is obligated or coerced. God invites us today to see and experience His generous love until we can’t help ourselves but love Him back with whatever we have. Within that loving relationship of mutual giving and receiving with be the fullness of joy we’ve always desired.

28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” ....

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:28-31, 41-44)

TUESDAY, September 27, 2011 – Generous Promises

2011-09-27T15:24:00.001-07:00

One of my great privileges is to sit and share prayer with a group of women who are currently living in a correctional facility. In the form of a responsorial psalm, we quietly reflected on some of the promises of God below that are found in Psalm 145. As we moved around the circle and shared our personal experiences and hopes around these gentle words all of our hearts were touched.

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

Response: The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Response: The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.

Response: The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

I ask myself and all of us again today, the question I asked that evening: What changes and re-shaping could go on in my life if I based my life on God's generous promises? God’s always keeps his promises in a generous and gracious way. Do I live a welcome to His gifts?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010 - Darkness to Light

2011-09-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. (Genesis 1:1-5)

At some point, or in some area of our life, we can experience emptiness, chaos, darkness, and circumstances that seem to flood over us until we are buried deeply. It's good to know that at those times God right there with us, is hovering over us, watching attentively and available to make a significant and practical difference. Into our darkness Jesus speaks light that clarifies and give direction, shows us understanding, makes a way where there was no way. Not only does God show us light in our dark time but He works in us to separate the light and the darkness. God never meant for us to live in the dark. He calls us to the light in every area of our soul. He has the authority and the power to sever every tie to every dark thought or habit or relationship that has held us down. We do not need slide back into darkness. God is ready to speak His word of light into our lives and send the darkness awaycompletely. What do I often do when life feels dark, formless, and empty? What am I doing even now to fill vacancies in my heart and life? Where is God in that dark emptiness? What might God be able to do for me today? Will I surrender to the word of God's light so the darkness of evening can pass and the light of morning can come?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 -- FOUNDATION OF RELAPSE: "VULNERABILITY OUR WAY"

2011-09-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Our daily lives need to be shaped after God's plan. We lived long periods of time in painful addiction because our daily practices were shaped by what we thought and what we wanted when we experienced lack and vulnerability. To now embrace the life we've longed for, filled with God's healing power and satisfying purposes, we need to reform our previous responses to vulnerability. We need to fill the gaps our addictions used to hide: feelings of pain and loss, loneliness, frustration and dissatisfaction. How can we ensure these areas of vulnerability are being filled with healthy thoughts and behaviours?

1. Where we have previously hidden pain and loss, Jesus now invites us to name that pain, give it over to Him, and receive healing. We need to come to God in faith and pray ourselves. We need to seek out others to pray. We need to affirm promises God gives us in the Bible and "tell ourselves the truth." We need to receive what God is giving based on what God says not what we feel.
2. Where we have lived lonely, Jesus invites us to take healthy risks to build new networks of friendships and sponsors who will help us grow. Where we lacked accountability because of gaps in our upbringing, Jesus now invites us to put ourselves under the guidance of a mature and trustworthy person and let them train us and help us to grow. Where we waited for others to come and fix us and drag us out of dark feelings, we now need to reach out to care and love and minister to others and in doing that, experience the connectedness and joy God gives.
3. Where we experience feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction, God invites us to see them now as signals that there is something we can do to reach out to Him and others for His plan that fulfills rather than letting those feelings drag us down into an harmful addictive behaviours. Rather than run away, it's time to see possibilities around the corner from frustrations. Rather than feed dissatisfaction and discontent with addictive substances and relationships, it's time to step into new practices that God says really satisfy. Regular habits of prayer and Bible study that seek to hear God’s voice give us a ready supply of practical ideas to apply to these moments. Rather than simply giving in to thoughts and feelings, it’s time to ask God what a new and healthy practice might be or ask a trusted mentor, sponsor, or companion for suggestions.

The Bible teaches: Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. (1 Corinthians 10)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 -- Foundation of Relapse: "Emptiness"

2011-09-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

Bad habits and negative attitudes have played an important role in our lives. We have used them to help us cope with an emptiness, a nameless pain, or some other lack, deep inside. When we stop the habits and seek to change the attitudes, what are we using to deal with the emptiness and the pain they were covering?

Jesus said, "When a demon is cast out of a person, it goes to the deserts, searching there for rest; but finding none, it returns to the person it left, and finds that its former house is all swept and clean. Then it goes and gets seven other demons more evil than itself, and they all enter the person. And so the poor fellow is seven times worse off than he was before. (Luke 11)

Jesus uses this spiritual picture to encourage us to not only get rid of something bad in our lives but to fill the vacancy with something strong and good. The failure to fill the vacancy can lead to a relapse.

We need to consider whether our lives are being filled with God's power, with God's people, with God's values, and with the activities God says are good for us. 1) Our Thoughts OR God’s Truth: When we say "no" to a negative or destructive thought, what truth are we affirming in its place? 2) Our Addictive Practices OR God’s Purposes: When we put away our self-centered and irresponsible lives of addictive behaviour what changes are we making to put God’s purposes into practice each day? How are we making ourselves available to God in service of others? 3) Time to Wander OR Time to Build? What are we doing with the hours of this day and with the talents we currently have, in order to do what God tells us to do -- build His kingdom? How are we praying for others and blessing others with our time and our efforts? How are we being accountable to responsible mentors in order to move past self-interest into surrender to a higher purpose?

The Bible teaches: So be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 -- FOUNDATION OF RELAPSE: "A DIVIDED HEART"

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It is only God who can give us life. It is only God to whom we give an account for our life. All other relationships, including our relationship with ourself , have to be second to our relationship with God. To avoid drifting into active addiction requires that we don’t try to figure out what is wrong in our relationship with anyone else until we identify what God is asking of us in this moment and give ourself first to that.

The Bible teaches us: "O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) Nothing that has happened and nothing that will happen gives us a reason to avoid living this simple formula for success. What does it look like for us?

1) Choose what is right in God’s eyes. ("Do what is right") Our first responsibility is to follow God’s way of life. When our thoughts and God’s word are at odds, we need to change rather than trying to bend God’s principles to fit our circumstances. God does care more about us than we do. God does know what will heal and satisfy us and give us true inner contentment. We don’t.
2) Give and receive love unconditionally. ("love mercy") No matter what others have done to us or will do to us, God’s standard for us is to drink deeply of His love and comfort, and then offer love and forgiveness to every other person. Will we let go of any harm done to us or by us and receive forgiveness and healing, comfort and care from our Saviour and friend, Jesus?
3) God’s ideas before our own. ("walk humbly with your God"). When we are on the way to relapse we always think we know better than God or the people around us. It is at those times that we are called to be humble and to simply keep walking God’s path “trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.” (Serenity Prayer)

Are we willing to turn away from those attitudes and actions that keep our hearts “divided” and make God's heart and plan first? Are we willing to put all other voices and feelings to the side and focus our daily plans on what God ways works? Are we willing to accept the forgiveness and cleansing God says He will give us for EVERY wrong? Are we willing to turn our attention and our efforts to God and follow hard after EVERY command God gives us? Are we willing to RISK and RECEIVE the loving care God gives? This, and only this, is the road to life and health. There is no easier softer way. If we follow this simple plan, we will find our way OUT of the frustrating cycle of relapse and recurring sin and INTO the fullness of life Jesus came to give us.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 -- FOUNDATION OF RELAPSE: "NOBODY KNOWS. NOBODY CARES"

2011-09-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief ..... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:7-10)

Relapse happens because we live a divided life that tries to be loyal to God but then holds onto other things as well. Somehow we are embracing the lie once again that “Nobody really understands. Nobody truly cares about me. I need to take care of myself.” We forget that our own best thinking about caring for ourself took us to places of pain and suffering that led us to recovery in the first place. What does some of that thinking sound like?

“I need a break”: Relapse is well underway when we are willing to engage in harmful thoughts and desires for activities that led us astray in the past. Recovery is hard work. Recovery demands we spend a lot of emotional time in unfamiliar territory. It requires a lot of energy. We are learning to wait when we’ve always “gotten what we needed when we needed it.” Emotions can get depleted. We get tired. We want to take a break and just “take it easy.” We want to feel better for a while and certain habits and relationships from the past seem to offer that comfort. We rationalize that we’ve worked hard in so many areas and given up so much for our recovery that we deserve a little something even though it goes against what God has said. It’s not something in the area of our primary addiction so it seems safe.

“Life around here is unfair”: Relapse into recurring sin results from hanging onto sin --our own or the sins of others. Little by little discontent drifts into our thoughts until it seems to fill them. We begin to see all the things that are wrong with others – what they get away with, how they treat us badly, what they said, the attitude they had, how demanding they are, how unwilling they are to really understand our point of view. This or that is unfair. The list is endless. In fact, if we are willing to look carefully at what is really going on we would find that it is our own needs, our own fear to face inner issues, our own character defects in action that are at the root of the frustration and discontent.

God's plan for our good today is that we would come close to God today ask humbly for the strength of God's Spirit to surrender ourselves to Him and His plan. Part of that surrender is shown in our willingness to resist the devil and allow God to continue to wash our hearts clean from anything that doesn't look like Him. As we focus on what God is saying and doing and less on what we are thinking and wanting, God will fill our hearts with everything we've always longed for and we will see how addictive obsessions are removed further and further from us.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 -- FOUNDATION OF RELAPSE "FOCUS ON PRIMARY ADDICTION"

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If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to God, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins. ( 1 John 1:8,9)

We often feel awkward about bringing our recurrent sins before God. We may be embarrassed by the number of times we have had to deal with the same issues -- issues that seem to stubbornly refuse to be washed away. What is going on? Why can’t we beat this problem? What will it take for us to find solid ground on which to build a firm and lasting recovery?

The slogan, “If nothing changes, nothing changes” is so true when we look at these habits. Each time we find ourselves coming back from what seems like the “same old failure” we need to give God an opportunity to go one layer deeper into our life with His healing and forgiveness. While it is important that we find set of circumstances that support us in our efforts to not drink or drug or pick up in whatever way we are addicted, we need to give ourselves to the task of asking God to reveal our heart to us. Only God knows what is broken in us. Only God knows what will heal and restore us.

Our focus needs to shift from what we think we need to what it is that God knows needs attention. What is the resentment, the hatred, the fear, the pain, or the shame that we are seeking to cover with the addictive behaviours? God continues to invite us to face that inner pain, bring it to Him, and let that core area of our life be made whole.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 -- HARVESTING A CROP OF GOD'S LOVE

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While in recovery we learn to accept responsibility for our actions, even when we are powerless over our addiction, others around us, or certain factors in our circumstances. We come to realize that all our actions yield consequences. Some of us may have deceived ourselves into thinking we can escape the consequences of the bad choices we have made – either active choices for angry, hurtful and addictive behaviors, or passively accepting negative circumstances and stuffing our pain. With time, it becomes clear that God has made accountability a necessary element of healthy living.

“You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. (Galatians 6)

God says we always reap what we have sown. Sins and addictions, passive or aggressive reactions have painful consequences. It may take time to finish dealing with the negative consequences of our past sins, but this need not discourage us. In time we will see a good crop begin to grow as we plant the seed of good choices and actions one day at a time.

“But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit”. “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of My love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you” (Galatians 6, Hosea 10).

The evil one would like to keep us focused today on all the consequences of our days of addiction. God wants us to focus on the harvest He is growing in us and in our surroundings as we plant good seed today. What we plant today in our recovery, is seed that will last forever. What we plant today, even though it may seem hard to do the right thing, is gaining for us an overflow of God's loving generosity.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 -- LIVING UNDER THE VEIL (4)

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But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:16, 17 NLT)

If we live the free life, walking in obedience to God’s commands, not only will we enjoy life much more than we ever have, but our lives will be an attraction to others. I've walked in the presence of people who are peaceful and gentle, with joy in their eyes, ready laughter on their lips, and kindness in all they do. They are so safe to be around and they make us want what they have. This is the life to which God calls us and promises us that we can live on behalf of others if we welcome the direction of His Spirit into our day to day living.

And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

Thousands of years ago, King David described how satisfying this kind of life is in these words: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. (Psalm 19:7-8, 10)

I sense a great longing in my heart when I read these words, don't you? It's a thirst for something really good and really refreshing. I choose to live in that kind of freedom today. How about you?

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 -- LIVING UNDER THE VEIL (3)

2011-09-14T03:12:00.000-07:00

How do we know if we are seeing life through a filter – living under the veil – or not? Jesus tells us clearly, “if you obey my teachings.” Freedom to do what we want, when we want, with whomever we want is a veil that clouds our vision and keeps us from freedom. God gives us clear indicators from daily life to help us understand whether we are living under the veil or not.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little Group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:19-23 NLT)

In contrast to the veiled life, God describes for us what true freedom is: For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13,14 NLT)

When we obey God’s laws we have energy, live wisely, have joy, and when we are asked, “How’s life?” our automatic response is “Sweet!” In fact, we recognize that we have the freedom we sought after for so long.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 -- LIVING UNDER THE VEIL (2)

2011-09-13T03:11:00.000-07:00

Movie producers know all about veils. If they want to hide something from view they simply match the colour of the object to the colour of a filter (veil) they put over the camera lens. Like magic the object disappears on a screen. They can cover up your hand or your head or a string holding you to the ceiling while you fly through the air. If you were in the studio you’d see the hand, the head, the string because they are there in reality. But, behind the filter, things do not appear as they really are. They now appear as they are arranged to look.

We grow up in a culture of lies. Our world has a set of information that it applies to our thinking in the same way a filter is put over a camera lens. “If it feels good, do it.” “Be your own person.” “Lying is only a problem if you get caught.” “You’ve got to take care of yourself first.” “Sex is fine as long as you’re with someone you love.” “Winning the lottery will fulfill your dreams.” These are commonly accepted descriptions of life as we know it. We think they are part of the package that will ultimately give us the freedom and satisfaction we crave.

Jesus, on the other hand, clearly tells us, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free …. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. … My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 8:31, 36, 10:10 NLT)

How do we know if we are seeing life through a filter – living under the veil – or not? Jesus tells us clearly, “if you obey my teachings.”

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 -- LIVING UNDER THE VEIL (1)

2011-09-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

“I know what I need to do. I just want to do it. I don’t want anyone else telling me what to do. I just want to be free.” Whether we are running in our addiction or feeling challenged in recovery, these are words that run through our minds and often out of our mouths. They represent people the Bible talks about who “live under the veil.” People who live under a veil are those who do not see clearly or correctly. Something is blocking their view. Something is in the road. Something is distorting the picture of reality that is before them.

But the people’s minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:14 NLT)

The Bible teaches us that what gets in the road of us living a free and fulfilling live, the veil that covers our eye, is trusting in ourself. When we think we know what we need and convince ourselves that what we want is better than what we are being advised we are actually living a lie. We are unable to understand the truth.

God clearly tells us that we can only survive and do well today when we stay connected to Him and allow His way of thinking and acting to flow through us as sap flows from the trunk to the branches of the vine. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned." (John 15:5,6)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. 2011 -- PRIDE BORN OF HURT (3)

2011-09-09T03:08:00.000-07:00

Regardless of how much pain and loneliness, anger and frustration, dissatisfaction or discouragement we carry in our hearts, God's trustworthy plan is for us to receive complete healing for all of it by continuing to ask for and receiving healing. No matter how long it takes, God will completely unravel the tangled mess and set us free. The broken places in our heart didn't happen overnight. God’s sure solutions won’t be completed overnight. It’s time to lay down the arrogance that blames God for not being there for us with “magic wand” instant healing -- the arrogance that chooses to believe instead that a relapse into unhealthy addictive behaviours will better meet our needs. Isn’t it strange that those same choices only ever led us to more pain in the past? The insanity of this kind of prideful choice based in hurt is evident, isn’t it?

Jesus said, "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks." (Luke 11:9-10)

Jesus teaches us that every request for healing produces healing. Every healing reduces the package of pain that remains. God's promise to us, is that everyone who seeks healing and freedom will find it, if they don't stop looking for it until the job is done. The challenge for us is to give up our prideful efforts to be self-sufficient. We have to acknowledge that we only have temporary measures for our pain. God alone has the real solutions based in the whole truth. We don't know what is best for us over the long haul. We can't ask for help just once and be done with it. We must be persistent and ask repeatedly as the needs arise.

When we do this, we can be assured that our loving heavenly Father will respond by giving us good gifts of healing and abundant life.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 -- PRIDE BORN OF HURT (2)

2011-09-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

We entered treatment when we could no longer take the painful circumstances of our addiction. It didn’t take many weeks into recovery, however, until the surface pain in our lives had sufficiently receded for us to remember some of the deeper painful memories stored in our hearts. With the only way forward in recovery being a road that requires that we begin to trust in a good God and caring friends, we face a deep and frightening choice. Who or what will we believe – our painful memories of how things happen to us or voices of hope that say there is another way for us today? How can we trust a God we cannot see – a God named “Father” when our experience of father is something that links us to a lifestyle of running away and hiding in our addiction? How can we follow the advice of people when we have little or no experience of people caring for us when they told us to do things?

Very quickly we hear the voice of our heart telling us to flee into self-protection mode. That voice is clear that no one, including God can be trusted. That voice reminds us that we need to take care of ourselves in ways we know, in ways we can control, at the pace we can handle things.

The Bible warns us: "Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment." (Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, Isaiah 2:17)

How quickly we forget how far we fell when we used our own wisdom to try to deal with our deeply painful past. Which part of disgraceful, angry, shameful, appalling, broken, ruined, out-of-control, violent, filthy behaviour have we forgotten? The solutions we thought up got us where? How many additional layers of pain and shame did we add onto the core wounding experiences when we did things our own way? How many more seasons of arrogant active addiction will we need in order to bring us to our senses that there has to be a way, other than our own thinking, to deal well with the brokenness inside us?

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 -- PRIDE BORN OF HURT (1)

2011-09-07T03:06:00.000-07:00

We have been created for relationship that gives and receives help on a continuous basis. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ …. (Galatians 6:2)

Our pride often keeps us from asking for what we need. We may have grown up in a family where we were consistently ignored or disappointed. Perhaps our needs were seldom met. Some of us may have reacted by becoming self-sufficient. We determined never to ask anyone for help. In fact, we decided to never need anyone's help ever again! When we reached the end of ourselves in our addiction, we knew we needed some help to get out of the tangled brokenness, and we asked for help. However, once we began the journey in recovery and gained a little strength, it didn’t take long until that “I can do it on my own” voice from the past started to whisper into our present. No one cared for us enough in the past to understand us and meet our needs. Why would this hard thing we need to face now receive any real understanding from anyone around us? Wouldn’t it be better to just keep quiet, keep it to myself and work it out safely on my own? Frankly, no! Our best thinking took us into painful active addiction. This independent thinking actually is a type of pride born of hurt. Following this self-centered voice of fearful thinking holds us back from accessing necessary wisdom and support God and friends are meant to supply. Sooner or later this isolated and independent road will take us to relapse and active addiction.

O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Our proud thinking needs to develop ears to humbly receive the wisdom God is giving personally and through other trustworthy people gathered around us.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 -- OVERCOMING DISCOURAGING TIMES

2011-09-06T03:05:00.000-07:00

In order to avoid a new instance of relapse, we need to challenge ourselves in the middle of these difficult circumstances. The first challenge is to believe God’s word is true and his promises are trustworthy and look for the source of our problems elsewhere – in what we are thinking or saying or doing. What’s amiss in us that has us in this negative space? Maybe our perception of what is going on around us needs to change. Perhaps we are looking to people, places, and things once again to satisfy us when only God’s goodness on the inside will keep us contented over time. Have we forgotten that recovery is about doing one day at a time, one moment at a time? Are we taking time to notice the gifts that surround us even though they may look different from what we thought? Are we trying to play God again rather than simply seeking to be faithful in the little things, trusting that more will be entrusted to us in the right time?

Remember this, the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it. (1 Corinthians 10)

The key to overcoming the temptation to give up when discouraging times come is to recognize it for what it is – one more way the evil one is seeking to pull us away from God into a lifestyle that harms ourselves and so many others. We need to say no to its pull and then trust God to protect us. Sometimes these temptations are taken care of quickly. Other times they seem to linger in our hearts and minds. This is when it is extremely important to walk closely with Christ, telling him exactly what we are feeling and trusting Him for the victory. That’s the time to stay close to friends and mentors and put their advice into practice rather than just listen and nod our heads when they speak. Often when we do this, we find that the peace and joy we seek breaks through quite quickly and everything we need comes right on time.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2011 -- FINDING CONTENTMENT ON DIFFICULT DAYS

2011-09-05T03:03:00.000-07:00

God invites us to life, a life that is wonderful and filled with many beautiful and satisfying gifts. A few weeks or months into the journey of recovery, without the comfort of our addictive substance, one of the greatest temptations that faces us is the doubt that we could actually have that "good life.” The battle against addiction, struggles with poverty and related issues seems endless and hard. Our family or friends are still a bit leery about having much contact with us. Jobs are scarce. Where’s affordable housing? We feel like there are too many hoops to jump through, and endless barriers to overcome. We hardly know how to handle things on a good day, let alone deal with the frustrations on the bad days. We get discouraged and tempted to give up and not bother trying anymore. It seems easier to hide away from life in front of the television or just “passing the time” with friends, helping here and there, as a way to fill our time. We drink coffee, smoke a few cigarettes, and just get through today. We live with boredom or frustration and sometimes give in to impatience, blame, angry communication, or even fits of violence. We wonder who cares and if God is really there to make a practical difference in our lives.

God is trustworthy and God promises: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” … and … Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. . and … and God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:33, 2 Corinthians 9:8)

Doubt and darkness begin to settle on us when we begin to think that God is not coming through on these promises, and that we are not getting what we deserve at the time we expect. Why aren’t things going our way? The more we entertain these kinds of thoughts and allow frustration to grow under our skin, the more easily the desire for the old “fun and games” lifestyle sneaks in. God invites us to counter that temptation today with gratitude and contentment for all that we have and trust in His care for all the rest

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

Thursday, September 1, 2011 -- Who's Responsible?

2011-09-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

What we are living in today is the product of our own choices. If we are living with confusion, that is our choice. If we are actively seeking solutions with a peaceful and trusting heart, that is another alternative. We can choose to complain about all we don’t have or to be grateful for all we that we have and experience. We can sit back feeling bored and dissatisfied with life, or we can take action to get involved with paid or volunteer activities that add purpose and meaning to our day. We can live in the goodness of today or let worry about the future and unknowns rob us through fear and anxiety. We can walk forward with purpose or we can wander. We need to take personal responsibility for our life if we desire to progress along the road to recovery.

God gives us a clear message about choices and their consequences. He uses the illustration of planting and harvesting. We harvest what we plant. If we plant poor seed, we’ll get a poor harvest. If we plant quality seed, the harvest will be abundant and good.

“You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. (Galatians 6)

“But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit”. “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of My love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you” (Galatians 6, Hosea 10)

God says we always reap what we have sown. We need to take God's instruction seriously and take steps to plant and harvest good now. Trust that God is good. Look and see the good things God is giving today. He's putting those things before us, for sure because He promises us life to the full. It's our's today. NO one can keep it from us but ourselves.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 -- Fighting Back

2011-08-31T03:27:00.000-07:00

Listen to Elsie Quick read "Fighting Back"

Rationalizing is a thought process through which we provide a reasonable but untrue reason for consequences resulting from our actions. It is a way of avoiding responsibility. Rationalizing results from an internal belief that we are the victims of circumstances beyond our control. Due either to the actions or inactions of others, we give ourselves permission to act in inappropriate ways or to avoid taking steps that are appropriate. We provide explanations of our situations so we can avoid having to look at our own actions. Sometimes we've been rationalizing for so long that it is more an unconscious process than a deliberate deception.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. (James 5:16) (The Message)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

How can we fight this habit of rationalizing? 1.Do the Right Thing 2. Listen to God, not to others. 3. Listen to your conscience. 4. Focus on your own actions. 5. Maintain the right attitude 6. Entrust your circumstances to God. 7.Overall, perhaps the best way to fight rationalizing is to call it what it is: sin.

People of integrity call a sin a sin. They don’t blame their actions on others or on circumstances. When they sin, they admit what they did was wrong, confess, repent and receive healing and forgiveness. When God asks them to do something, it becomes priority one. We need to continually hold our lives before God, asking Him to bring to mind any commands we’ve ignored and any sins we’re excusing. Then our consciences--and our lives--can be clean and pure.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 -- Rationalizing

2011-08-30T03:37:00.000-07:00

Listen to "Rationalizing" read by Elsie Quick

Rationalizing--justifying our disobedience to God--has been with us for as long as sin has. Eve knew that God had made the fruit from that tree off-limits, but when she saw that “the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it” (Gen. 3:6). Eve looked at the circumstances and mentally overruled God’s commandment.

Why do we make excuses for our disobedience? As persons seeking to live with God in recovery, we know God’s commands but we choose to compromise that truth when those commands conflict with other desires of our hearts. For instance, we know gossip is wrong, but we would so enjoy telling that juicy story because we are ticked off with that person. So, we rationalize ”I’m not gossiping, I’m sharing a prayer request, or I’m just telling what happened.” We excuse loose sexual activity by telling ourselves, “Everyone else is doing it” or ”I just can’t help it” or “It’s OK because we’re in love.” We tell a lie because we are afraid that if we tell the truth someone will be hurt, or some difficult consequence will come to us, or something we think that what we need will not be given to us. We tell ourselves, “I’m just doing what I HAVE to do.” In doing that, we are compromising God’s truth to obtain our own desires.

The mind that thinks only of ways to please the sinful old self is fighting against God. It is not able to obey God’s Laws. It never can. We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ ... Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (Romans 8:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5, I John 3:18)

In the next few days we will explore reasons why we rationalize and how to fight against it. But, the only meaningful basis for those discussions is a decision we first make that rationalizing leads us to sin, sin breaks God's heart, and we love God too much to want to do that.

Monday, August 29, 2011 - Living With A Lot

2011-08-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

Listen to the meditation read by Elsie Quick

Jesus offers us a life of abundance. Jesus said: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10)

The word abundance leads most people to think in terms of “a lot of” something. We think that if we have a lot we will be happy and satisfied. In the abundant life Jesus is offering us our daily bread — all we need for satisfying day-to-day living. There’s great rest and security in knowing that we will have what we need today. Some people binge eat or binge spend out of a fear of having nothing. “Get it while you can” seems to be the motivation. Whether it is material possessions or a great feast, we often expect these things to do for us what only the blessings of a relationship with Christ can offer. We look to these things for comfort, for escape from problems, and for ultimate pleasure. They always disappoint. A life of true abundance can only be fully experienced and enjoyed when we know that God will care for us today and every day in very specific ways. Our daily needs matter to God.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6)

Let’s seek to know and live what's on God's heart today and finally enjoy the abundant life. We pray, "God, give me the correct perspective of the abundant life so that I may enjoy it to the fullest."

Friday, August 26, 2011 -- Random Acts of Encouragement

2011-08-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

Listen to this meditation read by Elsie Quick
When we love someone and want to encourage them we need to find out what is actually helpful to him or her in their journey. When we provide “a helping hand” it is good to check and see if help was actually experienced. Encouragement can be offered in a variety of ways: a word, a note, a prayer, a phone call, a visit, a challenge, a “random act of kindness”, refraining from reacting, setting and holding to personal boundaries, providing meeting information, or even a challenge to look at some behavior. We can be a part of a support network for others in the same way that we have been supported in our recovery. We will experience encouragement ourselves as we offer it to others.

Share each other’s troubles and problems and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. And here is how to measure love – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. (Excepts from Galatians 6, John 13, and John 15)

In our life with God in recovery we are given many opportunities to pass on helpful information and supportive companionship to others attempting the same journey. God invites us to love others as we have been loved. Love goes beyond mere words. Love doesn’t just tell someone what the problem is. Love helps them find and apply a solution. Love finds a way to support healthy change and healthy action.

Thursday, August 25, 2011 - Carrying The Message

2011-08-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

A common recovery saying is that “you must give it away in order to keep it”. How are we to carry the message? Our new life-style, free of the destructive dependencies of the past, is a living witness to recovery. Sharing our life stories and recovery experiences in support group meetings and in personal conversations is a powerful spoken witness. And intervening lovingly, but firmly, on behalf of those trapped in denial about their own dependencies is another way we faithfully carry out Jesus’ instruction to tell others what great things God has done for us.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’S favor has come … To all who mourn…. He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of despair. (Isaiah 61)

Each of us has a valuable story to tell. We may be shy and feel awkward about speaking. We may wonder if what we have to share is appropriate. Is it actually going to help anyone else? We may struggle to get beyond the shame of our past. We may be hesitant to tell anyone, especially if we think they are better than us. But our recovery story can help others who are trapped in similar difficulties. Are we willing to allow God to use us to help free others? Within each personal story of the journey from bondage to freedom is the essence of the gospel. When people hear our story we are offering them the chance to loosen their chains and grow along their own healing journey with Jesus.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 -- All Or Nothing

2011-08-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

What have we come alive to spiritually? That was yesterday's question. It's the basis of today's "practice ... in all our affairs."

All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9)

As we get further along in our recovery, the memory of how bad our life really was may begin to fade. Our lives were unmanageable, remember? Do we vividly recall what we once were? Can we recall the dark emotions that filled our soul? As we share our message, let us never forget the following truths. We too, were slaves, just as others are today. Our heart was filled with the confusion and painful emotions that others still feel. We were saved, not because we were good enough, because of the love and kindness of God.

We must also remember that we are able to stay free because God is with us, upholding us every step of the way. The need for spiritual self-discipline never ceases. This is why Step 12 urges us to “practice these principles in all our affairs.” Doing this will minimize our slips and hold us close to the presence of God, covered with the peace and serenity of His grace. It's all grace. It has to be applied to all our affairs. It truly is "all or nothing."