The year our oldest son dropped out of high school and became an addict was a very dark and difficult year for us. It was also a time of deeper exposure to life’s most important lessons. I didn’t fully realize it until much later, but it was during that anguished time that I gained a greater understanding of humility, honesty, courage, trust and grace. In this week’s post I want to share with you … [Read more...] about What I Learned While Our Son Was Still Using Drugs: Part III
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What I Learned While Our Son Was Still Using Drugs: Part IV
The year our oldest son dropped out of high school and became an addict was a very dark and difficult year for us. It was also a time of deeper exposure to life’s most important lessons. I didn’t fully realize it until much later, but it was during that anguished time that I gained a greater understanding of humility, honesty, courage, trust and grace. In this week’s post I want to share with you … [Read more...] about What I Learned While Our Son Was Still Using Drugs: Part IV
Tear Washed
Ancient words devoutly sung stung my heart today. “Sin had left a crimson stain you washed me white as snow.” New thoughts flung old meanings away. Could this image apply to the stain on my soul inflicted by another’s sin condemning me to wander barren earth in shame? How would you wash such stains? I long to believe you would wash them with your tears. Your angry, tender tears. Oh God, cry over … [Read more...] about Tear Washed
Innocent
“Innocent.” You speak this word to a young, frightened part of me. You give me to this word, to this wonder. Innocent. No condemnation for being small, weak, powerless. No judgment for needing, wanting to be loved. No burden of blame for crimes committed by others. Innocent. Shame carried away by Another. Soul-washed in the tears of God. Innocent. “Hear this deeply,” you whisper. “Fall into … [Read more...] about Innocent
Innocent
“Innocent.” You speak this word to a young, frightened part of me. You give me to this word, to this wonder. Innocent. No condemnation for being small, weak, powerless. No judgment for needing, wanting to be loved. No burden of blame for crimes committed by others. Innocent. Shame carried away by Another. Soul-washed in the tears of God. Innocent. “Hear this deeply,” you whisper. “Fall into … [Read more...] about Innocent
To Us A Child Is Born – 3
Dear friends, During the month of December I have been posting a four part meditation on the life of Christ. This is part three of four. May this Advent season be a time when we are changed, ever more deeply, as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, … [Read more...] about To Us A Child Is Born – 3
Saying Maybe to the God of Love as Prayer
I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. Mark 9:24 Sometimes prayer is saying “maybe” to God. It is saying “I want to believe you are a God of love, I want to believe you love me, I want to believe you are for me and not against me. Help me to believe these good things about you. Heal the fears I have about you.” We may be guarded and hesitant. Our false and frightening idol gods may haunt us. … [Read more...] about Saying Maybe to the God of Love as Prayer
Stages Model
The most common approach to thinking/feeling about the process of recovery from trauma or abuse is to conceptualize it as working through a series of stages. Herman summaries several such models at different historical periods in a helpful table (Judith L. Herman, Trauma and Recovery, BasicBooks, 1991, p 156]: SyndromeStage OneStage TwoStage ThreeHysteria(Janet 1889)Stabilization, … [Read more...] about Stages Model
The Art of Sponsorship: beyond the basics
by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas Ask people with a long stretch of recovery what contributes to their capacity to live without relapse, and it's likely that many of them will mention sponsoring and being sponsored. The tool of sponsorship is one of the great gifts of the Twelve Step program, bearing an extraordinary power to turn a person's life around. Just about anyone in recovery can tell a story … [Read more...] about The Art of Sponsorship: beyond the basics
The Promises and Pitfalls of Congregation Based Support Groups
by Dale S. Ryan Introduction Support groups are becoming a common part of the life of local churches as congregations learn of their importance in the recovery process. Many congregational leaders recognize, however, that the process of starting and maintaining support groups may not be easy. Support groups are not some kind of magical programmatic fix for the ills of modern life. On the … [Read more...] about The Promises and Pitfalls of Congregation Based Support Groups