“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). What is a life that is worthy? Albert Einstein answered, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” And Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “It’s enthusiasm for something that makes life…
I’ve seen it hundreds of times. I did it myself. I got into recovery because of my wife’s discovery. But it wasn’t enough. Patrick Carnes wrote, “The momentary willingness that comes after disclosure or discovery will not turn into long-term sobriety unless there is a recognition that past attempts to control don’t work. Unless there…
Oleg Kharitonov set a new world record when he ran 100 miles in 11:28:03. I’m not sure I could drive 100 miles that fast. Quite impressive. The next time you run a marathon, remember Oleg, who essentially ran four marathons without a break. I say it again – quite impressive. Oleg is clearly a gifted…
Never judge your success by immediate results. Recovery is about planting seeds today that will grow tomorrow and bear fruit after that. Don’t expect an overnight experience of the full serenity, sobriety, and success that will come from years of doing the right thing – one day at a time. Dr. Paul Chappell, senior pastor…
If you want to know who you really are, look around you. Take note of the people you spend the most time with, the ones to whom you are the closest. Jim Rohn said it like this: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” A Portuguese proverb says,…
Timothy Richard Tebow described the Christian life well. The football icon said, “I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.” In recovery, improvement is a great word.…
No one likes to get picked on. I know I never did. Throughout the 7th grade, a bully made a habit of taking my lunch money on my walk to school. This went on for months, until I finally stood up to her. I’ve witnessed spiritual bullying, as well. And recovery bullying. I actually had…
“So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him” (Judges 11:3). Aaron Rodgers, full-time football player (when he isn’t injured) and part-time philosopher, said, “Surround yourself with really good people. I think that’s an important thing, because the people you…
It happened 50 years ago today. It was like every other Sunday for my brother and me. We rode the church bus to College Park Baptist Church in southwest Houston. After the service, I asked our pastor, Dr. Cecil Sewell, if we could talk for a few minutes. He and his wife Sharon took me…
There are a lot of character traits that you should strive for. But God got specific with a few that rise above the rest. The prophet declared, “This is what the Lord requires: to act justly, to love, faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Let’s focus on that last one –…