• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

    If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.

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jerry ralph

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“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others." A.W. TOZER


“And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in
the place guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.”
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-14 NLT


I am amazed at how God can use the most difficult situations that people seem to get into, and turn them around for good. I can remember times in my life when the choices that I made led me into bondage. Not just my own physical, mental, and spiritual bondage, but bondage enforced by family, friends, and the legal authorities. Without God in my life I would try and dig myself out, but only dug myself deeper. Have you ever had that feeling that the more you try doing something on your own, the bigger the problem gets. My problem was lack of direction and trying to carry the whole load myself. I have noticed that in my own life, my self-will will act like a protective barrier. I think it is some kind of physical or carnal survival instinct that kicks in when the going gets tuff. In my life at times it works like an umbrella on a hot sunny day. It keeps the sunlight of the Spirit from lighting my path. One thing about umbrellas on a hot sunny day, they also block the breeze. When life got too hot for me, I sought comfort somewhere else. The only rest I found was in the arms of a loving God. Once I rested comfortably God was able to let His light shine through me regardless of where I was. These days I attend an AA meeting in the prison down the road. My observation is that many are born again believers and have a strong witness for the Lord. No doubt they reach many on the outside that no one else can reach. Only God could work such a work from inside prisons bars. I like what the Life Recovery Bible has to say about this scripture, share this with me:

In retrospect, Paul could see that God had allowed the events of his life, both good and bad, to help him spread the Good News. If we take an honest look at our life, we may find the same to be true. Through our painful addiction we have gained the perspective needed to share the message of hope with others. Our personal story of deliverance is an essential tool for reaching others in need of recovery. As with Paul, our painful past and God’s powerful deliverance open the door to our serving God by helping others.”
TYNDALE LIFE RECOVERY BIBLE, page 1432

Each of us has personal experiences that only we can share with those in like situations. That is why when I read the term “one to another” in the Bible, I think on these things. Thanks for letting me share. God continues to do for me what I could not do for myself………………………..JRE

“Two men looked from prisons bars, one saw the mud the other saw the stars.”
Author unknown
 
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AngelDove1

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Hi jerry,

Thx for sharing,Your experiance ,strenght and hope.

Ya we AA's know bout self will run riot is about....

Yes God is awesome. The way he uses our pain to help others .

I find even if we shear our past with people that have never been where we have. Show them God's miracle through us.And what he has done for us that believe.

Good to hear your going to AA meetings...

Take what helps you and leave the rest.

How long have you been sober for?

"K.I.S.S." "Keep it in the now"
 
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jerry ralph

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Thanks for the kind and encouraging words.........I have been coming around the tables of AA for over thirty years, it took 25 years to get a one year chip. Today I have 7 1/2 years clean and sober. I have been posting in the devotional section for over a year, this is my first post in this section. I have been posting in a blog for almost five years, I have close to 700 posts if you have time check it out http://www.jerryengland.blogspot.com My posts are part of my daily devotional time, and help me stay sober. I share with 100 people through email and post on 5 other websites. All of this is for the glory of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

How long have you been sober?

............EZ DZ IT...............jerry ralph
 
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AngelDove1

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jerry..............

YOU GO BOY........................

"GIVE AWAY TO KEEP"

Proud of you my brother...keep doing what your doing....and you'll keep on getting what your getting....sobrity my brother.

Pass the message on..........

yes I will check out your posts....

25 yrs...jerry,for me.
"One dayat a time"

Shalom
 
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