ChangeOfHeart.LIFE

The Puzzle of Addiction: How the 12 Steps Help Us See Christ’s Atonement

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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.

When We Are Weak, He is Strong: Overcoming Addiction Through the Savior’s Grace

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In the grips of addiction, we often feel powerless and alone. But with the Savior’s infinite grace, we can find strength in our weakness. This post shares an inspirational perspective on overcoming addiction through relying on the healing power of Christ’s Atonement. Can our recovery efforts not only survive, but THRIVE in the shadow of the Covid pandemic?

Alcohol, Atonement, and a Change of Heart: Beginnings of My Healing Journey

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This is the story of my journey from alcoholism to recovery through the healing power of Christ’s Atonement. After decades of addiction and secrecy, I’m sharing my experiences with the hope of helping others find their own path to redemption.

“…Kicking Against The Pricks”: Lessons from Saul on the Path to Redemption

Like Saul persecuting early Christians, I warred against my soul in active addiction. But revelation broke through my darkness, beginning a recovery journey similar to Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. This is a reflection on profound parallels found in scripture.

The Oil in My Alabaster Box: Filled With Moments of Grace on My Road to Recovery

In my darkest moments of addiction, one small act of service changed the course of my life. Through an unexpected encounter helping a stranger in need, I found inspiration that started me on the road to recovery. This is the story of how serving others filled my ‘alabaster box’ with the oil of God’s grace, leading to redemption.

Relearning Life’s Melody: Finding My Voice Again Through Christ’s Grace

In the depths of addiction, I lost my song. As I rebuild my life in recovery, I’m seeking to lift my voice again and use music to bring others hope. This is the story of my journey to find harmony after hitting rock bottom.

Removing the Shackles: Breaking Free of Addiction’s Stronghold

Addiction trained and controlled me, much like a circus elephant is broken then manipulated. But I learned there is always hope for freedom. This is the story of how I escaped addiction’s shackles and got my life back on track after years trapped in its grip.

Today we talk about removing our “devices of control” and (like the Barnum and Bailey elephants) finding freedom… and PEACE!

Sacred Ground: How I Discovered Unexpected Peace Among the Headstones

Desperate times call for unconventional measures. When addiction recovery meetings moved online, I struggled to feel the Spirit. Then I found peace, inspiration and connection to God in an unexpected place – my grandfather’s grave. This is the story of how a cemetery became my holy sanctuary.

“Happily Ever After” Reimagined: From Fairy Tale to Redemption and the Light of God’s Grace

Fairy tales paint a picture of happily ever after. But in the grips of addiction, my story was far from perfect. This is how an imperfect life found redemption and a new happily ever after through recovery.

Wet Feet, Open Arms: Stepping Into the Unknown with God

Paralyzed by doubt, I stared at the water’s edge struggling to take the plunge. But once I silenced fear and followed God’s whisper, the way opened up. This is how I found the courage to stop analyzing and start acting on God’s promptings.”

An Imperfect Journey: Finding Joy Along the Path to Recovery

Addiction makes the road to happily ever after a bumpy one. But with faith and gratitude, joy can be found at every turn. This is a story of embracing the imperfect journey and finding blessings along the winding path to recovery.

Letting Go and Letting God: Finding Courage to Take My Leap of Faith

Addiction leaves us gripped by fear of the unknown. But recovery calls for a courageous leap of faith. This is the story of how I found the strength to let go of my fears and take a flying leap into God’s hands.

Arise, Shake Off the Dust: Rediscovering Hope Through Christ’s Grace

Christ saw me, shaken and downtrodden, shackled by my sins. But with compassion, He reached out His hand, raised me up, and whispered gently, ‘I do not condemn you.’ This is the story of how His grace lifted me from the dust and unbound me from sin’s captivity.

“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!

From Deaf to Divine: Rediscovering the Inner Music of the Spirit Through Recovery

As a musician, my quest for performing triggered some very strong desires to use addictive substances. Addiction clouded my spirit with distractions and static. But recovery allowed me to retune my heart, once again hearing the gentle, sublime melodies of the Spirit. This is the story of parting addiction’s clouds to let divine music break through.

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.

Balancing Above the Abyss: One Step at a Time Along Addiction’s Tightrope

Addiction walks a tightrope over swirling darkness, demanding perfect balance. A painful fall into relapse waits on either side. This is the story of putting one foot in front of the other despite fear of falling.

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?