One step closer...

I got my reply today from the SC Interstate ADSAP agency today.  I was accepted into their program.  Now all I have to do is to contact a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor or state-certified DUI evaluator, provide the counselor or evaluator with the enclosed IADSAP Provider Referral Letter, obtain a face-to-face interview for clinical assessment, complete all education and/or treatment recommendations, instruct the treatment provider to return the enclosed Recommendation for Relicensing form to the ADSAP office, and sign a Release of Information form.  Oh yeah, failure to complete the program within a 2 year period will result in ordering a new packet with a new fee and a new driving record...  What a blessing!

It actually is a blessing, I'm just having a little fun.  There are always consequences to our actions.  I may be forgiven by God, but the State of SC wants a little more.  What it actually boils down to is an evaluation and 16 hours of classes, and attend a few NA meetings... and money of course.  I've got the NA thing covered.  I was actually expecting a lot worse.   From what I understand, the classes are either 1 full weekend (2 eight hour days), or 2 different Saturdays.  Something close to that anyway.  God is good, at least I am breathing.  I could have died in that motorcycle accident.  Come to think of it, there were many times when I was under the influence that I could have died, but God always had his hand on me.

We had a speaker tonight at the meeting.  It's funny (well, maybe not that funny) how our stories can all be so different, yet all be the same.  The circumstances and particulars vary from member to member, but a few things remain the same.  We all have gained and lost, hurt the ones we love, and finally come to a point where we just surrendered our wills and lives over to God.  I have yet to meet a member with any clean-time longevity that said he doesn't believe in God.  When I need a little "experience, strength, and hope", I know just where to find it; at a speaker meeting.

Father, thank You for the program of Narcotics Anonymous.  I know that it is a program given by You, and that it is a tool to draw the sick and hurting to Your healing embrace.  Thank You for giving me the opportunity to escape the seemingly unescapable grip of addiction.  Please be with my children and Anne as we navigate this thing called life that You have so graciously given us.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

God as we understand Him

Good morning everyone!

You know, I wonder if you just require less sleep as you get older.  I would have thought it was the other way around, that the older you get the more sleep you need.  5:30 rolled around this morning and BING!, I'm wide awake...  I have no reason at all to get up that early.  Even with my devotions, Just For Today, and journaling getting up at 7:00 still gives me plenty of time before I have to leave for work.  That may change once I get my license straightened out, but for now I have to ride with my son, and we don't leave til almost 9:00.

The JFT this morning talked about turning our will and lives over to the care of God as as we understand Him.  Many Christians have a problem with that aspect of NA, and in the past I was part of that crowd.  I finally, through examining my faith and observing others evidence of faith, came to the conclusion that even as Christians our understanding of God differs.  We all understand God differently.  As Christians our basic doctrine is the same, but we develop our understanding of His character as we go along.  And let me just say this; it is much easier to give the gospel to someone who is clearheaded than it is to someone who is in active addiction.  I have heard many testimonies of people who joined NA as an atheist, and after getting clean came to see the Truth of who God and Christ are, and were saved.

We are supposed to be moving from this house we are living in sometime soon, but I am kinda worried that the money just isn't going to be there and the move is going to turn into a mess.  Please pray Gods guidance and protection over this endeavor.  My life is just now beginning to stabilize, and it looks like it is going to become unstable again in a hurry.  

That's about it for this morning.  I pray that you have a blessed day, and that you grow closer to God minute by minute.

Father, please strengthen my dependence on You, and my courage to face the unknown.  Help me to walk a path that You lay before me, not one that I pave myself.  Please put people and circumstances in the lives of my children that will cause them to know Truth.  

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Wow! Viewers all over...

This is just a quick note.  I was checking the site stats and very surprised that I have viewers not only in the United States, but also the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Ireland.  The number one browser for entry to this site has been mobile Safari.

You just never know who might be reading your stuff!

Thanks guys for your interest.

Sunday Morning

I slept fairly well last night.  I didn't wake up for good until about 8:30 which is good for me.  I am usually up before 7 whether I am working or not.  My son is still here and it is 10:45 so he must have the day off.  I wish he would have told me, I sure would liked to have gone to church.  I really hope that my license gets sorted out soon.  I get plenty of preaching and teaching, but it would be nice to get together with other believers once in awhile...

New Living Translation (©2007)
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near     Hebrews 10:25

I don't really have anything on the agenda for today besides doing some laundry and maybe a little cleaning.  I will again try to take a nap but that hasn't been working out very well for me lately.  I took a sorta nap yesterday, one of those naps where you may be dreaming but you are still aware of your physical surroundings.  It's not very restful.  I keep getting an anxious feeling that I haven't been able to identify yet.  Maybe the Lord just wants to see how I operate under that condition.  Circumstances, emotions, relationships...  All that changes frequently and it is up to me and my conscious contact with God to navigate successfully those changes.  No matter how I am feeling, no matter what is going on in my life, just for today I am not going to use.  Just for today I am going to concentrate on doing the next right thing.  Gotta love those slogans that you hear every day.  They are extremely simple, but they are also extremely effective.  I guess that is how they get their longevity.

Father, thank you for another day above ground.  Not that it wouldn't be better to be with You, but I have another chance to see my son and daughter grow and mature, and for that I thank You.  Thank You for a roof over my head, and a bed with warm blankets.  Thank You for clothes and the ability to keep them clean.  Thank You for the work that You provide, and the abilities that it gives me.  Thank You that You are You, despite me being me.

In Jesus' name,
Amen