Overcome

Freedom From Bondage

Today is the day we celebrate our nation’s freedom yet there are so many people who are still in bondage. They are in bondage to schedules, deadlines, television, sports, alcohol, drugs, sex, profanity, and all the other things that come before Jesus and keep them from serving Him and spending time with Him as He has commanded us to do. He has told us that we should have no other gods before Him. However all too often we allow things that will one day mean nothing come before Him and our service to Him.

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When Heaven Goes Silent

The emergency room was deathly still except for my husband?s anguished weeping.

Tearless, I held our little son Timmy’s chilling body to my breast, trying to warm him, unwilling to let him grow cold. Bruised from futile resuscitation efforts, he was naked except for a rough blanket wrapped around him and secured with a diaper pin.

The mortician peeked in. He was waiting. I wanted to run into the night with Timmy’s body and hide him somewhere where I could keep him safe.

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Grief and Depression: The 6 T’s of Moving Through Grief

One of the most moving scenes in musical “The Man from La Mancha” came as Don Quixote dying was roused by his lady Dulcinea to hear the words of the song, The Impossible Dream again.
“Tell me the words,” he asks.
“But they are your words, my Lord,” she responds.
He remembers then and sings the magnificent song that embodied his dream.

For years at funerals and during times of loss and grief, I have shared with those who are in the midst of their mourning these special blessings God gives us to cope with our sorrow and pain. They are Tears, Talk, Touch, Toil, Trust, and Thanksgiving. In my heartbreaks, my own words of comfort return to me as a benediction of grace. It was as if I heard an owl say, They are your own words, Philip. Listen to them.

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Feeling Weak?

Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

It is easy to forget to feed ourselves spiritually. We get too “busy” to read our Bibles, pray, meditate or fellowship with others. As a result we start to starve and spiritual malnutrition sets in. This is when we are most susceptible to our addictions and dysfunctions. It is imperative for us, as recovering people, to feed ourselves on a daily, hourly or even momentary basis.

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I Confess My Sins. Why Don’t They Go Away?

It seems like I am always confessing my sins and yet they never go away. What am I doing wrong?

This is a really loaded question, especially since we are not perfect individuals and we are all sinners. We will always have sin in our life and we will sin. But this certainly doesn’t mean that some of us are not good people. It means that we don’t understand the logistics of sin and how it all works in our life.

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Pornography Addiction: Playing With Fire

Pornography addiction is playing with fire. If your marriage means anything to you at all then you are playing with fire every time you think about or view porn. Even if you are single it will transform your personality into something that was not meant for you to be. It is not beneficial for the mental and emotional aspect of who you are to look lustfully at another woman or man, other than the person God has blessed you with.

Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. NIV Proverbs 6:25-26

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The School of Pain


Everyone has sorrow. Being a Christian does not exempt anyone from grief. But faith in Christ brings a transformation of sorrow. Not only are we taught to endure the sorrows that come to us patiently and submissively–but we are assured that there is a blessing in them for us, if we accept them with love and trust.

One of the deepest truths taught in the Bible–is that earthly sorrow has a mission in the sanctifying of life.

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Grace and Guilt: God’s Invitation to Break Free of Regret – Workshop Transcript

29:02 Obie-host Welcome to CIR’s Workshop “Grace and Guilt: God’s Invitation to Break Free of Regret”
29:12 Obie-host Our presenter this evening is Rich Dixon. Rich’s web site is: http://RichDixon.net
29:22 Obie-host He authors many articles and Blog entries for Christians in Recovery.
29:37 Obie-host We strongly suggest you get a copy of his latest book “Relentless Grace”
29:44 Obie-host http://richdixon.net/Order%20Page.htm
29:55 Obie-host It is a true story which vividly details his own struggle with tragic injury and hopelessness.
30:04 Obie-host Relentless Grace reminds readers that only God can heal and change people.
30:15 Obie-host The book is about God, forgiveness, and about promises made and kept even in the midst of grief and loss.

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What is Jesus Asking You to Quit?

What do you think Jesus wants you to do?

I’m not thinking of specific choices like whether to have pizza or turkey for lunch (I don’t think He cares). But in terms of overall life choices and directions, what do you think He wants? There are probably a lot of answers to that question, but I’m thinking of one right now that I’ll bet nobody else mentioned.

I think He wants me to quit. (It’s okay if you’re surprised.)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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