Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives. Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.

An Apple a Day

We say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But no one really eats an apple a day. We say a lot of things – we’re going to join a gym, eat healthy, or spend less time playing silly video games. Many of us say we love our church, but a smaller percentage of…

You Already Have Enough

When God told Gideon to lead his people to victory over the Midianites, Gideon complained that he was the weakest man in the weakest family in the weakest tribe of Israel. Gideon essentially said, “Get someone else!”  To that, God said, “Go in the strength you already have” (Judges 6:14). That is life-changing. “Go in…

Good Tears

Hard times are a part of life. And they are certainly a part of recovery. I love this quote I came across the other day: “Laughter means nothing unless there have been tears” (Jack Hyles). Often, these tears are the result of bad decisions. A study cited by Psychology Today found that most people fail…

Smuggling

A man approached the border on his bicycle, carrying two heavy bags. The border patrol suspected drugs, but when they opened the bags, they only found sand. The next day, the man was back, crossing the border on a bicycle, carrying two bags. And once again, the border patrol checked the bags. Still, just sand. …

Turning Back

It’s one of the saddest verses in the Bible: “From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more” (John 6:66).  In the recovery world, we call that relapse.  We find the following data on relapse from the Recovery Village. Following treatment, 80% suffer relapse within the first year. After…

Innocence

Purity is not innocence. If you define your sexual sobriety by zero thoughts of fantasy, no second looks, and only the purest of motives, prepare to reset your sobriety date – often. Purity is not innocence. This is to excuse any of the above. You absolutely should strive every day to overcome fantasy, second looks,…

Lawnmower

When Bob’s lawnmower quit on him, he called the repair shop. He asked the man at the shop what he recommended.  “We always suggest you try to fix the lawnmower yourself first. Only bring it to us if that doesn’t work.” Bob responded, “Wow! Thanks for the tip. But does your boss know you’re turning…

Afraid

Here’s something you don’t think about when you become a follower of Christ: “As they followed him they were afraid” (Mark 10:32). It’s what Oswald Chambers called “the discipline of dismay.” Charles Stanley wrote, “Those who have never trembled from head to toe will never know God’s perfect love.” I suggest we do two things:…

Weak Is Good

In his song, Weak Man, Leeland Mooring repeated this line throughout: “I’ll be weak for You are strong.” Dr. Travis Myers, professor of church history at Bethlehem College and Seminary, offers three ways in which God uses our weaknesses. Weakness reminds us that our life depends on God. Weakness reminds us that we deserve wrath,…

Millard Fillmore

On March 8, 1874, former President Millard Fillmore died from a stroke at his home in Buffalo, New York. His last words were spoken to his doctor, who had just fed him his last meal: “The nourishment is palatable.” Fillmore is buried near his home in Buffalo, and his grave can be easily viewed by…