From East to West

Images and music can be powerful tools in your spiritual growth. Today, I was listening to a song by Casting Crowns, East to West. I thought about Jesus hanging on that cross, bloody, beaten, dying. Dying for my sins, my sinfulness. His blood dripping off of Him, sanctifying the ground, sanctifying me. Washing away the sins and transgressions.

I was crushed, crushed to the ground. Heavy weight would not let me stand. The weight of shame, guilt, sorrow. I was on my knees, bent at the waist. I tried to lift my head and look again at my Savior on the cross. I couldn't do it, the weight was too great. I then thought of Him risen, risen in all His glory, bathed in white, strong, almost blinding white light. I am able to lift my head a bit now. There He is! In white, radiance streaming forward and past me. Almost hot, almost too much to look at. Almost too much to bear. How could I have become the man that I was? This is too much for me. I am able to get up off my knee just a  little. The weight is heavy, it is sapping all my strength, my resources.

He reaches His hand to me. Mine reaches toward Him. I am suddenly able to stand.................

Sexual Struggles

I attended an addiction workshop at  Grace Church over the weekend. We were asked about topics for future presentations. I suggested a greater insight on those suffering from sexual addictions. In our Friday night group, 12 Steps for Christian Men, we welcome all. We have a number of men suffering from sexual addictions. I do not know much about their struggles. I came across this article today though.....http://pastors.com/what-sexual-strugglers-wish-their-pastors-knew/. I am happy for the insight and I hope it gives me a better understanding and a deeper compassion.

Staying in Touch

Recovery cannot happen in a vacuum. There is much said in the recovery community about the importance of staying in touch. We are lucky in this day and age. We have many tools at our disposal. Texts, email and cell phones have made it simple to reach out to others. Social networking sites have made it easy to share our feelings, give encouragement and exchange ideas with each other.

I belong to a great group at my church, Grace Church in Middleburg Hts., Ohio. This group, 12 Steps for Christian Men, part of the Recovery Ministry at Grace Church, has an active calling list. We try to call just to say hello, to let others know we are praying for them and just simply to keep in touch.

As I have said in previous posts, I am looking to do things different this time. I have failed in doing things my way. What has helped to keep me sober has been reaching out. I find that when I feel lonely, depressed and isolated a call or a text to someone makes me feel just a touch better. I only hope my call to someone else benefits them also.

If you are not reaching out to others try it. Call, email or text at least 4 people a day. This will take you just that much farther from the drink.

Coffee For a Cause

I have a friend at my church, Grace Church in Ohio, who started a great non profit venture. He took a love of coffee and a desire to serve God to create the Greater Bean Coffee company. The whole idea behind this is to help widows and orphans while giving all praise to our Lord, Jesus Christ. This man roasts, packages and markets the coffee himself. What a great way to carry out the message of the Gospel.

If you work in a place that consumes coffee or run a recovery meeting that serves coffee or even for home use, I urge you to go to Greater Bean Coffee and order yours from there. Each order is guaranteed to honor God! It is also a great cup of coffee.