This has been the story of my life.
We don’t have to be perfect to approach Christ for his help. Rather, we have to approach Christ NOW for the strength to become perfect.
Posts
The Song of the Righteous…
For most of my life, I have enjoyed the life of a professional musician. Almost two years ago, in support of my recovery from alcoholism, I took a bold step. I quit my bar bands, wedding bands, and event bands.
Join me today as I discuss my “glory days” and my quest for a higher glory yet to come as I attempt to define what it means to be a MUSICIAN IN RECOVERY!
Monster on a Leash (Elephants–Pt. 1)
Picture yourself falling from a running elephant…you tumble ten feet to the ground and land in the rocks while moving 15 miles per hour. Now, you’re under the feet of a raging 13,000-pound monster. “That’ll leave a mark!” Addiction recovery is like THAT: terrifying… and necessary.
Today we talk about removing our “devices of control” and (like the Barnum and Bailey elephants) finding freedom… and PEACE!
Sacred Spaces
Many of my LDS “Friends in Recovery” tell me that they have given up on the online/call-in versions of our Addiction Recovery Program meetings because it’s harder to feel the spirit. I had the same experience. Although we were discussing the same lessons and sharing the same testimonies, it just didn’t FEEL the same. I missed the smiles, the handshakes and hugs, and the personal interaction. But most distressing, I wasn’t feeling the same Spirit. Recently, I had an epiphany that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Join me today as I share this “secret” as we talk about creating our own SACRED SPACES.
Once Upon a Time…
Once upon a time…
Damsels in distress–and knights in shining armor. Dismal reality–and rose-colored glasses. Dark days–and happy endings. Today we talk about nursery rhymes and fairy tales. We will meet a real-life Humpty Dumpty who sacrificed his right hand in exchange for his freedom. We’ll start the journey with “I will NEVER find peace” and end with “I am FREE”. Can your fairy tale REALLY end with “…and they lived happily ever after”? Let’s find out!
The Paralysis of Analysis
I’m frantically working on my 1st-year anniversary post (which is, speaking of paralysis, over budget and behind schedule…!!) 😉 Let’s just say–WRITER’S BLOCK SUCKS!
In the mean time, here’s a little “Change of Heart Moment”…a short, sweet look at lessons to be learned when the waters part and we cross through our trials on dry ground! Enjoy.
Christ’s Atonement–Solving the Puzzle
The statistics are shocking…One in ten Americans is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. And even more shocking is that only one in one hundred addicts will ever attain full life-long sobriety! I am living proof that even among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, substance abuse and addiction is a VERY SEROUS problem. Join me now as I attempt to bring a little more public awareness to what has been a very private problem…and offer some solutions to help ALL of us overcome our weaknesses and shortcomings.
Cherish the Journey
“…And they all lived happily ever after.” In the depths of my alcoholism, I never thought that this line would EVER describe my life…now or in the life to come. But life in Recovery gives me hope in a happy ending.
To introduce our newer readers to some of our “vintage” posts (that’s SO 10-months ago!!), over the next few weeks I will be sharing a series of short, easy reads, inspired by stories or quotes from my previous posts. Join us now for a “Change of Heart MOMENT”!
God’s Fingerprints…
Truth IS stranger than fiction. If I’d written a movie script three months ago entitled “The Great Toilet Paper Panic”, Hollywood producers would have rejected my script and said, “GET REAL!” Now suddenly, it IS real. As a recovering alcoholic, I finally realize that not only is gospel learning “home-centered, church-supported”, but ultimately, SO ARE MY RECOVERY EFFORTS! Join me today and discover whether life in recovery is compatible with COVID-19…
LDS Addiction Recovery Support During COVID-19
A few weeks ago, most of us had never heard of COVID-19. As a recovering alcoholic, I can tell you from my own experience… stay-at-home mandates, temporary business closures, and “social distancing” suggestions are almost enough to drive a guy to drink! Starting this week, the Ogden-area LDS Addiction Recovery Program started providing Phone-in/Video Chat group meetings. Find out how to join our group HERE.
Land on Your Feet–or Learn to Fly
Singer/Songwriter Kenny Loggins once said, “…what you learn is that no matter when you jump, you will either land on your feet…or learn to fly”. Today we talk about hang gliding, trust vs. fear, and faith vs. doubt. Join me as we discuss Step 3 of the 12 Steps to Atonement, where we learn about becoming willing to give our will and life over to the care of God and Christ.
Neither Do I Condemn Thee: Go, and Sin No More
My journey with alcoholism taught me about contrasts and extremes…Good and Evil, Sickness and Health, Virtue and Vice, Light and Darkness, Pleasure and Pain. But one contrast brought me back from despair… HOPE. Today we discuss Step #2 in the 12 steps to Atonement, and the HOPE that comes from believing that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.
“I’ll lift you, so you can lift me”
The 12 Steps are NOT just for addicts… they’re for EVERYBODY! Join me as ChangeOfHeart.LIFE expands it’s focus. Today we talk about how the 12 Steps of the LDS Addiction Recovery Program will improve YOUR relationship with the Savior, and will help your efforts to minister to those around you…whether you have addiction problems or not!
Can You Hear the Music?
As a musician, my quest for performing triggered some very strong desires to use addictive substances. For many years I quietly suffered the ravages of alcoholism behind the scenes. Join me today on a new quest…the quest to HEAR music…the music of the Spirit.
No Little Thing…
The holidays can be rough, especially when you suffer from addiction, depression, or even if you’re just having a bad hair day! Everybody has “those days” when whatever is wrong with you IS NO LITTLE THING! But cheer up…there IS help and happiness ahead. Join the discussion at Change of Heart!
What are the 12 steps to recovery?
The LDS Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) is not just 12 steps to addiction recovery…it is much, much more: It is step-by-step instruction on how to partake of the full power of Christ’s Atonement. Taking full advantage of the Atonement is the ultimate goal of EVERY sincere follower of Christ.
Serving Others…in the Twilight Zone
Life is strange…even under the best of conditions. Life as an addict (or life WITH an addict) is even stranger. But the strangest things of all happen when an addict learns not to be an addict!
Today we step into the Twilight Zone and discuss the power of serving others during recovery.
One Foot In Front Of The Other
Living with addiction is like walking a tightrope. Today we discuss putting one foot in front of the other and finding balance in our lives…balance that will help us succeed when our life becomes unmanageable.
Falling off…and Getting Back On
“I misjudged my actions and fell off the horse. A hard crippling fall. The kind of fall that would change me (and my outlook on life) forever. ” They say that it’s not important how many times you fall off, but that you get back on everytime you fall. Join me today as we chat again about Rescue, Recovery, and Redemption.
A Bishop, a Rabbi and an Imam Walk Into A Bar…
Yeah, I know. It sounds like a bad joke. But really, if a Bishop, a Rabbi and an Imam walked into a bar, what WOULD they talk about? Today we discuss stigma, shame, and pride; diversity and tolerance; Higher Powers and Holy Places; RESCUE, RECOVERY and REDEMPTION. Join me as we answer the question: What will YOUR Higher Power do for you?
Addicts and Angels…an Introduction
If you love an addict you should…um….??? (Hint: “Run away screaming” is definitely not the correct answer!) Join me today for some suggestions and inspiration as we talk about the ministry of angels.