KARA'S MOM...

We honestly can't remember her name - we just know that she was from out of state and she was Kara's mom. Our paths will probably never cross again; but her words will forever cross our hearts and minds. 

Yesterday was our last "family session" in this phase of treatment.  We go for a 'lecture' and then a group counseling session with other patients and their family members. The lecture is intended to be educational, and then the group counseling session is for more dialogue and practical support. These sessions are very educational and highly beneficial. We're all there for the same reason and can identify and relate to everyone's story.  Sometimes our lives and our stories are vastly different, making it seem like we come from such different worlds. Other times our stories are so strickingly similar it makes us feel uneasy - almost like they're telling our story. 

Yesterday while we were discussing with the group the role of the family members and how we as a family unit move forward, the group found out we were in the ministry.  The group session continued on with not much else being said to that fact. It was as we were packing up at the end of the day that we met Kara's mom.  

Kara's mom came up to us in tears - she said she just had to come speak to us to encourage us on in our journey.  She said her husband was also a public figure in the community and very active and involved in their Church; and at the age of 35 he became addicted to pain medicine.  Her husband looked desperately within the Church for love and support and found himself all alone.  Her brother is an alcoholic and sits alone and silent in the pews every Sunday for fear of rejection and shame. Her daughter has followed the same path of addiction and has turned away from Church, feeling more support and encouragement in the world.  "We need you, the Church needs you.  There is such a need for this to get out. Jesus didn't die on the cross because we were perfect - He died because we were sick. Your ministry is needed!" 

Speechless, all I could do was hug her. My heart ached for her and for her pain; and yet my heart was so thankful for the encouragement.  She was thrilled to hear of how supportive our Church has been - and said it gave her hope. Hope. 

Hope was mutual that day. She filled us with hope as well.  This post is unique in that Megan and I wrote this one together.  We are renewed and filled with hope...and chugging along.  God uses His people to speak His words...His people like Kara's mom. 

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME...

“MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS."  THEREFORE I WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, SO THAT CHRIST'S POWER MAY REST ON ME."  2 Corinthians 12:9

As a kid I was constantly dreaming about saving the world one day or doing something so great everyone would recognize my name.  We all have dreams of being in the 'spot light' or saving the day by doing something so incredible people look at us in some form as a hero.  While I have accepted the fact that I will never be a super-hero, it is still hard to give up on the dream of leaving the world with a sense of awe because of my greatness.

Our culture tends to idolize professional athletes, musicians and/or performers.  These celebrities often arise in dramatic ways with incredible stories and some even become our heroes.  From time-to-time we see one of these heroes shift the focus of the spotlight towards God.  While it may be a brief acknowledgement, they give credit to God for their exceptional talent and ability.  This has been the way I have wanted to share my faith.  In the spotlight and from the stage of greatness, highlighting my strength.

If the church had a list of superheroes, the apostle Paul would definitely make the list. He performed miracles, wrote several books in the New Testament and made an impact for Christ everywhere he went.  It is exciting to focus on everything that Paul had going on; however, Paul also had a "thorn".  Three times Paul pleaded for the thorn to be removed, but God had a different plan.  God's plan was not to show His power through Paul's dynamic strength and exceptional talent, but through his weakness.  

Perhaps our dreams need to give way to God's plans for our lives.  Instead of striving for the world to see Christ from the stage of our strength, our desire should simply be for the world to see Christ.  If God chooses to show His power through our talent that's great...that's everyone's dream!  But if God instead chooses for His platform of power to be out of our weaknesses...then may God make that our dream.

I do not know all of the ways in which God is going to show His power through my weaknesses, but I know this:  There's no better place to be than knowing Christ's power is resting on me.

 

RAISE SOME PRAISE

"I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE..."  Psalm 139:14

God's power and creativity is clearly demonstrated through creation.  I do not just mean the baffling and unexplainable wonders of the universe, but more specifically the awesome thumbprint of God found all across the wondrous diversity of human beings.  Interestingly, not many people I meet consider themselves to be "wonderfully made".  When I get out of bed in the morning, it is hard to believe this "wonderfully made" stuff. 

Albert Einstein said, "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."  It seems to me that far too many people have been lied to and misjudged.  Instead of seeing their immeasurable worth in God's eyes, they have been sold a bunch of lies.  Lies that devour their joy, peace and purpose in life.  They find themselves hating the person they see in the mirror.  They find themselves scared, empty and even dead inside.  They find themselves looking for anything that will bring relief.  I know this because I have felt like this...insecure, stressed and at times even worthless.

How does God's most cherished and wonderful part of creation become so skewed?  It's because we have a very real enemy that seeks only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  However, God's plan and desire for our lives is for us not just to make it through another 24 hours, but to really live! 

The most powerful part of Psalm 139:14 is not that we are wonderfully made, but that we can choose to live a life of praise.  My recovery means nothing in the end if it is not a life that will daily raise some praise.  The focus cannot be on me, but must be on God.  We each have the opportunity to raise some praise.  We can either keep on thinking we are stupid because of how others have judged us, or we will raise some praise knowing we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Unchained Desire

MAY THE LORD SHOW MERCY TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF ONESIPHORUS, BECAUSE HE OFTEN REFRESHED ME AND WAS NOT ASHAMED OF MY CHAINS.  2 Timothy 1:16

I began my treatment today and have seen God's hand already at work.  My assessment went very well and God has afforded me an opportunity to share my faith in an arena of life I never dreamed I would see.  God blessed us with a Christian counselor that has encouraged me to show the light of Christ, even in the midst of darkness.  I am trying to embrace the platform I have right now, even though at times I must admit I feel like I'm in the pit.  However, I know God will use all of this as long as I surrender to Him.  Our mess becomes our message.

Words cannot express my gratitude to all of those that have expressed love and support in both tangible and intangible ways.  I feel like Paul and have mentioned several of you by name in prayer and humbly ask that God would show you mercy and favor since you have encouraged me and have not been ashamed of my chains.  I have never felt so loved in all of my life.  Thank you to all of you that have poured out your hearts in prayer and have shown agape love and grace.  Please continue to pray for my recovery and that God would use what has been intended for evil for His good.

--Don't forget Megan is blogging her journey through all of this as well.  Her blog once again is:

Unashamed Dependance

Choosing to see the best

"GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Life is full of blessings in disguise. Sometimes the worst circumstances in our lives end up opening tremendous doors for God to use us.  The key to it all lies not in the circumstances, but in our attitude towards God and whatever life throws our way.

We have one of two options:
1. Turn our focus inward and on everything that is wrong (not what we would choose)
2. Turn our focus upward and on the only thing that has to be right (our relationship with God)

Whenever I choose option one I find myself unsatisfied, irritable and extremely miserable (and everyone else around me).  Obviously, this is not the life God wants for His children.  He has a better plan.  Option two.  When we look at what God has done for us in Christ, we begin to experience a life like God intended.  A life of contentment, thanksgiving and joy.  A life that chooses to give thanks.

Choose to give thanks all of the time, including the worst of times.  God has an awesome way of showing off and turning the worst seasons of life into the best (Romans 8:28).

--To our SHCC family--
Sorry, we missed the celebration tonight.  The car is out of the shop and we hope to see you all tomorrow night! (Lord willing)

The truth shall set you free...

"FOR THOUGH THE RIGHTEOUS FALL SEVEN TIMES, THEY RISE AGAIN..."  Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

I never dreamed the day would come that I would find myself struggling to find the right words.  Yet, here I am determined to share a little of what God has been teaching me.  For a long time I believed leaders had to appear perfect.  (We all know they make mistakes...just not big ones).  For far too long I thought admitting my struggles would only hurt, not help.  I told myself nobody would understand, nobody would care and most of all nobody would still support you as a leader.  These were all lies I believed.  Lies that come from the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44). 

Then, I met the body of Christ.  Not just met, but was embraced by the body of Christ.  Sure, I have grown up in church all of my life.  I have seen God work in amazing ways through the church...yet, I had never felt that I could truly be authentic and transparent until Sunday.  Sunday, I stood before my brothers and sisters in Christ and admitted I struggle with alcoholism.  Never have I felt so broken and yet so loved. 

This blog is my simple attempt to share this journey of recovery with those that choose to bear this burden with me.  My wife, Megan, is also blogging to give a spouse's perspective.  Her blog is unashameddependance

Our prayer is that God will use our journey to bring Him glory.  May God grant you the courage to be authentic.  Always remember, the righteous are not righteous because they never fall...but because they "RISE AGAIN."