Going On In 2016!
First off, Linda and I want to thank you for standing with us in prayer and regular financial support. We trust you enjoyed a Blessed Christmas and are preparing for a productive New Year!
In the Fall of 2016 Discovery Family Ministries will celebrate 25 years of carrying the message of freedom from alcoholism and other bondages to literally thousands of people!
It was in October of 1991 that I began my return to the Lord and His original calling in my life. Previously, during my rebellious and self-centered years, I had tried to satisfy the flesh, but the eternal spirit within me would not be denied. As the Psalmist wrote, Where shall I go from Your Spirit?
It was God’s good grace and His irresistible love that relentlessly pursued me and confronted me on my road to destruction. Destined to crash and burn, at just the right time, I found unexpected mercy. Romans 5:6-8 NIV
This was more than “gospel-speak,” it was inner truth. It was more than joining a recovery movement, it was aligning my will to serve His with my life. It was more than getting educated about the whys and wherefores of alcoholism; I got delivered from Satanic influences that had taken me captive because of my character weaknesses. Only God could have set me free!
As we prepare to celebrate His goodness and mercy in the Fall of this year, I hope you, our friends, will participate with us. Indeed, this is your victory in Jesus as well as mine.
Key to my continued progress was God’s redemptive plan to provide a wife. Linda and I were married on June 1, 1995. We are the product of God’s “permissive” will. After failing at life so miserably, words cannot express my appreciation to God for allowing me a companion perfect for the last half of the journey.
As we continue to step through the doors of ministry that God opens, we ask you to remember us. If you have not, perhaps you would consider regularly supporting DFM. As our faithful donors grow older, we face challenges like everyone who continues to serve God full time. 1 Corinthians 16:9
At this turn of the year, I have been hearing God speak encouraging words to not lose heart, to finish the race and to boldly declare the truth. Pray for us because our message is counter cultural.
I just finished reading a book by Dr. John Townsend, The Entitlement Cure . This author goes to what I think is a root cause for addiction in America. It is epidemic and growing! Until we lay the ax to the root of addiction, we continue the stressful, expensive task of pruning symptoms.
From the cover of the book…
Today we live in a culture that says, “Life should be easy and work well.”
This attitude, called entitlement, influences our most important institutions: Family, business, church and government. Its devastating effects contribute to relational problems, work-ethic issues and emotional struggles.
It comes down to this: People are not getting to where they want to go, because they don’t know how to do life the hard way. Entitlement keeps them from tackling challenges and finding success.
But whether readers are struggling with their own sense of entitlement or dealing with someone who acts entitle, The Entitlement Cure will equip them to turn away from a life of mediocrity to a life of engagement, satisfaction and joy.
GOING ON IN 2016!
In 2016 DFM will continue to offer confidential Discovery Groups for individuals suffering from personal crisis and loss. We follow a 12 Step path that is Christ-Centered and Bible-Based.
Also, we will continue to offer life-changing principles and pastoral care at the Home of Grace for Women, The Shoulder and the Wings of Life.
Our Saturday morning Seminars offered through churches and community centers will include:
Beyond Recovery, a forward looking overview of the 12 Steps
Hooked on Helping that addresses codependency
Path to Serenity, practicing God’s presence by prayer and meditation
How to Lead a Small Group, following the “Five W’s” Approach
Restoring Sexual Integrity, a discerning, delicate look at God’s intention for adult men and women
An Ounce of Prevention, how to help parents and young people avoid the pitfalls of addiction
To schedule a seminar in your area, let us hear from you ASAP.
For more information about DFM visit our website, contact us at rgbdcc@msn.com or call (251) 367-0714 and leave a message.
Check out our NEW Discovery Family Ministries YouTube channel for teachings I presented at Wings of Life in 2015. Other live teachings will follow.
Hebrews 5:12-6:3
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe, but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection (maturity), not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.
I had repeatedly heard the principles of recovery, but I could not (or would not) break out of my addictive behavior. It was not until I took responsibility for my own life and began to exercise the practical principles of truth found in God’s Word that I began to come out of my bondage. Up until then, I depended on other responsible people to do for me what I would not do for myself. I felt sorry for myself. I found others who felt sorry for me too! My low-living continued.
But over time, surrounded by strong, healthy minded instructo rs, I began to succeed. Practicing the hard things is not quick or easy. As long as well-meaning people do the hard things for us, we addicts will let them.
This is the strong message entrusted to those who have the courage to embrace it! To realize our greatest personal potential and to influence the next generation, we are called to root out the entitlement mentality that resides in all of us to one degree or another. It works if we work it!
God bless you in the New Year and thank you again for including DFM in your prayers and financial support.
Let us go on in 2016!