Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities. (R. M. MCheyne)
So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, through they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong. (Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT)
Today at 11:30 am I am going to drive to my favorite restaurant and have lunch with my AA sponsor. That statement might not sound unusual to anybody else but to me it is evidence of a miracle in my life. It has been over thirteen years since I have driven a car legally. In the last fifteen years I had a license only once for about thirty days in 1993, and then I got another DWI. I received my seventh DWI in 1996 and at that time they took my driving privileges ten years. I am not complaining. I got off easy with a felony, thirty days in jail and a ten-year revocation. I am not proud of my criminal record, but I do stand in awe at how God has allowed me to take the most horrible experiences in my life and use them to help others. It seems so strange to openly talk about times in my life that most people hide and never discuss with anyone. There is no shame anymore. God has forgiven me of my past sin, and washed it clean to be remembered never again. Where there is no sin, there is no shame. It was only after the shame was removed that God allowed me to openly use my past sin to help others avoid the spiritual potholes and speed traps of life. Today I have a loving God in my life whom I call the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I attend a church that welcomes me unconditionally, and I attend several AA meeting each week and carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous into the state prison close to my home. Last Monday evening as I sat in a meeting at the prison, I mentioned how that the next day I was going to the state capitol to be reinstated for my drivers license after ten years of being revoked. One hundred and five inmates gave me a standing ovation. It was moving. To be recognized by ones peers is a high honor, and they truly are my peers. Many of them will be getting out of prison in the next twelve months to face some of the same challenges that I have had over the past ten years. My prayer is that I can somehow be an inspiration to some of them. I know that I am inspired by their devotion to the meeting and their encouragement to me. My sponsor Wayne tells a little parable, share this with me: God looked down from heaven as saw a bunch of drunks. He couldnt find anyone to fix them, so He decided to let them fix each other. That kind of sums up my ministry, and yours too if you happen to be one of us. Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
Recovery is a time of correction, a time of facing problems and character flaws and changing incorrect beliefs. There may be seasons when we do have to pay for our past. God will use these times to redirect our life toward something better. His correction isnt arbitrary or abusive, but it is still painful. Knowing that Gods discipline demonstrates his love for us can be comforting in the midst of our pain. It helps to remember that his love will allow only that which is for our ultimate good. (Life Recovery Bible, page 1505)
So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, through they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong. (Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT)
Today at 11:30 am I am going to drive to my favorite restaurant and have lunch with my AA sponsor. That statement might not sound unusual to anybody else but to me it is evidence of a miracle in my life. It has been over thirteen years since I have driven a car legally. In the last fifteen years I had a license only once for about thirty days in 1993, and then I got another DWI. I received my seventh DWI in 1996 and at that time they took my driving privileges ten years. I am not complaining. I got off easy with a felony, thirty days in jail and a ten-year revocation. I am not proud of my criminal record, but I do stand in awe at how God has allowed me to take the most horrible experiences in my life and use them to help others. It seems so strange to openly talk about times in my life that most people hide and never discuss with anyone. There is no shame anymore. God has forgiven me of my past sin, and washed it clean to be remembered never again. Where there is no sin, there is no shame. It was only after the shame was removed that God allowed me to openly use my past sin to help others avoid the spiritual potholes and speed traps of life. Today I have a loving God in my life whom I call the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I attend a church that welcomes me unconditionally, and I attend several AA meeting each week and carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous into the state prison close to my home. Last Monday evening as I sat in a meeting at the prison, I mentioned how that the next day I was going to the state capitol to be reinstated for my drivers license after ten years of being revoked. One hundred and five inmates gave me a standing ovation. It was moving. To be recognized by ones peers is a high honor, and they truly are my peers. Many of them will be getting out of prison in the next twelve months to face some of the same challenges that I have had over the past ten years. My prayer is that I can somehow be an inspiration to some of them. I know that I am inspired by their devotion to the meeting and their encouragement to me. My sponsor Wayne tells a little parable, share this with me: God looked down from heaven as saw a bunch of drunks. He couldnt find anyone to fix them, so He decided to let them fix each other. That kind of sums up my ministry, and yours too if you happen to be one of us. Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
Recovery is a time of correction, a time of facing problems and character flaws and changing incorrect beliefs. There may be seasons when we do have to pay for our past. God will use these times to redirect our life toward something better. His correction isnt arbitrary or abusive, but it is still painful. Knowing that Gods discipline demonstrates his love for us can be comforting in the midst of our pain. It helps to remember that his love will allow only that which is for our ultimate good. (Life Recovery Bible, page 1505)
