Month: July 2018

Matthew 9: 17 People do not put new wine into into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. Commentary: One prevailing sign I have witnessed in addicts that never achieve long term sobriety is their … Continue reading The Good New Days

Matthew 9: 9 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me". And he got up and followed him. Commentary: For the addict to follow another person's lead, like in following the lead of a sponsor, is as difficult as walking on water. … Continue reading Learning to Follow

Matthew 9: 2 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." Commentary: Sins have a way of weighing us down physically, emotionally, and spiritually, causing a paralysis, and preventing us from moving towards healthy relationships. I have found my relationships are most healthy when my relationship with … Continue reading Forgiveness

Amos 5: 23-24: "Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me burnt offerings, then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream." Commentary: Today is the celebration of Independence Day which is cause for celebration and gratitude for the … Continue reading True Independence

John 20: 25: "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my head into his side, I will not believe." Commentary: The need to see to believe expressed by Thomas is not necessarily a bad attitude for the addict. Speaking from my own … Continue reading We Came to Believe

Mark 5:36: "Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid, just have faith." Commentary: I learned from a speaker many years ago at a Sex Addiction Conference a great acronym for fear: False Evidence Appearing Real.  The speaker commented that many addictive behaviors are fueled by fears that … Continue reading Just Have Faith