Ive asked some of my guys to write what they have gotten out of their time through my ministry at theOasis. Here is the first out of what I hope to be a series.
Archive for the ‘Guest Entry’ Category
May7
Matt M
Ive never had someone ask me to contribute a writing for the site so it was a shock that one was recently made. It comes from Hickory Wind Ranch which is a sober living environment in Austin, Texas. Interesting article that reminded me about the effectiveness of social media and blogs can have in helping others. Guess its time to start tweeting more and getting back to being consistent in my blogging.
January24
Guest Writing.
Our little “church” grew to six tonight, we’ve finally hit the point where we gotta move out of my room. The best part was when one of the guys shared what God has placed on his heart. While he was reading…my jaw just dropped. Usually I give them assignments, this time I told him to “Write whatever you feel led to share.”
October26
Another Guest Entry
We have a bunch of guest over at the house tonight and its noisier than normal. For some reason whenever its loud…I can never write. Below are a bunch of homework assignments that one of my guys wrote. For those of you who read this and have a few weeks sober, heres a suggestion. Start journaling what you get out of scripture verses. For those of you who want to see the transformation that can occur on a daily basis from a newly sober person, this is as real and current as you can find. By the grace of God he’s now at 28 days.
October20
Guest Entry
Ive once again come across a little writers block but I have the writings from one of my guys who has been doing mini-entries on verses and thoughts from Streams in the Desert. I think its pretty good stuff considering he has less than 3 weeks sober….
August17
Now This is Faith in Action….
Here is the blog of my buddy Scott who lost 2 of his daughters. I cried while reading it. To see the faith that he and his wife have had through such a difficult time…AMAZING. If I ever get in self-pity or doubt that I serve a loving, caring God, Im re-reading this entry. Continue to keep the Sunaokas in prayer, however by the looks of his attitude….his walk with the Lord is as strong as ever. Awesome Scott, just awesome. If you want to check out his blog…. http://pastorscottsthoughts.wordpress.com/
June9
New Writer…
I’ve started to ask others in the program to share what is going in their life. It just so happens I met Kea and she was on day one. Every couple of weeks she has agreed to share what the journey in sobriety is from the start. Please keep her in your prayer, hopefully over time she will open up about her struggles but also the solutions that she uses.
May26
Ego Palace…
When pride and ego blocks you from who you intend to truly be, how do you clear the way? How do you tell him to get the fuck out, and let the real you show his face, so that others can see you are just another person, living another day, doing the best you can, trying to make it through life, which nobody taught you the secret to do perfectly in the first place? Big questions, with a simple answer maybe.
Yesterday, I heard a story that interested me, it went something like this…When pride and ego blocks you from who you intend to truly be, how do you clear the way? How do you tell him to get the fuck out, and let the real you show his face, so that others can see you are just another person, living another day, doing the best you can, trying to make it through life, which nobody taught you the secret to do perfectly in the first place? Big questions, with a simple answer maybeWhen pride and ego blocks you from who you intend to truly be, how do you clear the way? How do you tell him to get the fuck out, and let the real you show his face, so that others can see you are just another person, living another day, doing the best you can, trying to make it through life, which nobody taught you the secret to do perfectly in the first place? Big questions, with a simple answer maybe.
When pride and ego blocks you from who you intend to truly be, how do you clear the way? How do you tell him to get the f*** out, and let the real you show his face, so that others can see you are just another person, living another day, doing the best you can, trying to make it through life, which nobody taught you the secret to do perfectly in the first place? Big questions, with a simple answer maybe.
September11
A Homework Assignment…
Over the past 5 weeks I have been giving John suggested “homework” assignments. I have decided to use his answer to “How will the Fruit of the Spirit, assist you in your recovery?” as tonight’s entry. There is so much going on and for whatever I have hit a huge case of writers block.
I can utilize the Fruit of the Spirit in many ways to help keep me sober and enjoy life. The promises of the fruit of the spirit are what I want to strive to achieve, as opposed to material things or things that may give me instant gratitude.
Peace and patience go hand and hand for me. I have found so far that when I trust in God that things will work out and not get anxious, I have a much greater peace. I’ve learned to be content with what I have and what is going on in my life right develops my patience and my peace. I also think that if I can continue to show kindness and love to other I will be fulfilled.
Being a servant to others in need is what God calls us to do, and I know that I need to continue to make every attempt to do this in order for my relationship with Christ to grow. I need to remember to stay humble and the power that alcohol has had over me. It is a power that I cannot overcome on my own, but with God I can do whatever I put my mind to and overcome anything.
If I can strive for all these things and be faithful to God I know that I will achieve the joy in my life that I am seeking. In my opinion joy is the culmination of all the other things. Pure joy can only be achieved if the rest of my life is in line with the rest of the fruits of the spirit.
I have learned a lot about peace and patience over the past month. I have learned that to receive the peace in life that I want I have to be patient and trust that God will provide and give me a direction. I know now that peace cannot be achieved with material things that I have sought out in the past.
True peace and joy come from God alone. When things get difficult I must be patient and trust in the Lord. Also I am trying to be more patient with people, not jump to conclusions or be judgmental about issues that others have.
September1
John M
I had asked the young man that is doing the 40 day discipleship to share what he has learned over the last 21 days, here is what he wrote…
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:1-2
I have been in Hawaii for three weeks now, Jon Okinaga and his family has been gracious enough to accept me into their home and their lives. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity and their kindness. Jon asked if I would like to write a blog on his website, and I jumped at the offer. Not because I have any profound insight but instead it was an opportunity for me to continue to grow in my relationship with Christ, and to share my hope for the future.
I have battled addiction for the past 4 years and it has caused nothing but pain and disappointment in my life. I have damaged many relationships and lost the trust of the people I love, understandably. For a long time I was angry with God for making me this way, and putting these struggles in my life. What I have come to realize over the last two months is that these trials are a chance for me to put my faith in God and rely on his grace to overcome my past. It is crucial for me to know that it is not the trials themselves that will make me stronger, it is my faith and trust in the Lord during those trials that develop my perseverance and strength. The reward for seeking God during these times? Pure Joy.
If we seek God at all times in our lives, we need nothing else. We are complete. I am far from complete to say the least, but over the past month God has given me joy and peace in my life that I have never experienced. I have been diligent in my prayer and daily devotions, and it is comforting to know that God will continue to bless me as my faith in him grows.
John McAndrews
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