God is Waiting for Us . . .

Christ, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3

It takes humility to take the first three steps—the surrender steps. They seem so desperate, like I’m throwing in the towel on my life. Like I’m giving up every bit of personal power. And I am. But in the most counter-intuitive and paradoxical way, these steps toward...

God is Not a Means to an End

Change of Heart, Recovery

I used to treat God as a means to an end. When I turned to Him, I always had some agenda, a goal or purpose for seeking Him. I had a reason for doing good, being good. If I did what God wanted me to do, then He’d (hopefully) do what I wanted Him to do. If I was...

Working the Steps Is Like Reconstructive Surgery

Recovery, Twelve Steps

Over three decades of my life, from age 34 to 64 years old, the Lord has led me to return to the Twelve Steps of recovery over and over again. He has used the Steps to peel away my pride, one layer at a time. It’s sort of like reconstructive surgery. You can’t...

Free Step Friday: I Came Not to Judge the World (Step 6)

Christ, Step 6

What is Free Step Friday (#freestepfriday)? Click here for details. Scripture 3 Nephi 9:21—Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin. The Lord declared this same message when He said, “And if any man hear my...

Letting Our Trials Refine Us

Christ, God's In Charge, Mortality

I’ve been feeling a little put upon lately. Well, to be honest, for the past several years. And it’s been ticking me off so much that I’ve gained 40 pounds. And that ticks me off too. And in the midst of my ticked-offedness this morning, I read this verse of...

Finding Fellowship Through Literature

literature, meetings, Recovery, writing

A solid program of recovery includes consistent fellowship with others in recovery. Shared messages of experience, strength and hope makes both the speaker and the listener stronger. It bolsters commitment to a recovered way of life. But sometimes, you just can’t get...

Free Step Friday: Confessing Our Sins (Step 5)

Step 5, Twelve Steps

What is Free Step Friday (#freestepfriday)? Click here for details. Scripture: Mosiah 26:35–36—And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them, them he did number among the people of the church; and those that would not confess their sins and repent of their...

Overcoming Evil

Christ, Recovery

At a conference a few years ago, a talked about how important it is to fight the adversary, to do combat with him. I suppose that on the surface this seems like a good idea, but my heart cried out, “No!” I wanted to jump from my seat and proclaim what I perceive to be...

Memorial Day

Mortality

Here in the United States, on the last Monday in May, we honor those who have given their lives in active military service. This is the official observance of our Memorial Day. For many of us, however, it has also become a day when our thoughts are drawn to other,...

Power to Do What Is Given

God's In Charge, Twelve Steps

Living by the Twelve Steps is essentially agreeing to give up our power—or rather, our powerlessness—in exchange for God’s power. It is becoming willing to do only what God gives me the power to do. But when I offer up my will to God, relying on His power, does this...

Blameless Before God

Christ

Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? (Alma 5:27) Keeping myself blameless before God? How in the world can I do that? There are so many ways to sin—in thoughts, words, deeds (Mosiah 4:29-30). How can I possibly watch myself so closely that I can...

What Part of Imperfect Do We Not Understand?

Mortality, Perfectionism

We, as committed Latter-day Saints, are just as mortal as everyone else on the planet. We are prone to fear, codependency, doubt, worry, sin, and all the other beliefs and behaviors that lead to addiction and compulsion. When we find ourselves in these negative...

Abstinence Is Not Recovery

abstinence, Recovery, Step 3

Abstinence is not always recovery. What?!? Many people want to believe that abstinence is the end-all of a Twelve Step program. While it’s extremely important, abstinence is the result, not the goal. Recovery is not born of abstinence. Abstinence grows from recovery....