Bad Choices, Worse Choices… and the Grace That Intervenes
Bad Choices, Worse Choices… and the Grace That IntervenesThere are moments in life when the path forks quietly in front of us.Not with flashing warning signs.Not with loud alarms.Just a…
The Road you Keep Running to
From 1986 to 1995, I worked at a gold mine in central California.In the beginning it was a good job—interesting, challenging, even fascinating at times. We learned on the job,…
EASTER FREEDOM
From Struggle to Freedom: A Journey Through Romans 7 and 8There is a moment, often quiet and deeply personal, when we begin to tell ourselves the truth.Not the polished version.Not…
Do Cultural Differences Matter?
Do Cultural Differences Matter?In my last blog, Mind the Gap, we reflected on the difference between our official theology and our functional theology—what we say we believe, and how we…
Mind the Gap: When What We Believe Doesn’t Shape How We Live
Mind the Gap: When What We Believe Doesn’t Shape How We LiveOver the past ten years, on Saturday mornings, a group of men have gathered faithfully to walk through the…
You Never Know the Whole Story
Why Churches Must Talk Honestly About Life-Controlling StrugglesThis blog stems from my notes for an upcoming talk on addictions and life-controlling issues for a mixed audience of Christian and possibly…
When the Heart Seeks Something Else
Understanding Addiction Through Real Stories and Scripture When Consequences Were Not Enough to Change Me I sometimes look back at my earlier years and wonder how easily one decision led…
What do we Need to Capture?…The Battle For Freedom
Everyday Battles: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”— 2 Corinthians 10:5Most spiritual battles are not dramatic.They do not arrive with noise and chaos.They arrive quietly.In a…
The Enemy Within: Understanding Addiction Through the Battle of the Heart
In the journey of recovery, many people speak about external enemies—temptation, pressure, stress, painful relationships, or difficult circumstances. These are real. They matter.But Scripture gently points us deeper.The greatest battle…
Addiction Recovery and the Cry of the Broken Heart
Reflections on Psalm 51 There are moments in recovery when words fail. When excuses are gone, self-justification collapses, and all that remains is the honest cry of a weary soul.…
Core Identity: A Vital Part of Recovery Freedom
At the heart of every life-controlling struggle sits a quieter, deeper question:Who am I really?Is the answer defined by my struggle or who God says I am?Not what have I…
Music, Lies, and Addiction
Music, Lies, and AddictionThere is something about music. It draws us in; it carries us back—sometimes gently, sometimes painfully—into memories of the past. Good times. Rough times.Bad memories often end…
The Gold That Never Satisfied: Lessons From a California Mine
The Gold That Never Satisfied: Lessons From a California Mine“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,…
Capturing Thoughts: Possible?
The Christmas season is often a place for the minefield of the mind to cause problems. We tend to be socially more active, life becomes frayed with so much to…
Navigating Christmas as a Sugar Addict
Christmas can be complicated when sugar has a hold on you.On the surface, it’s “just” mince pies, chocolate tubs, desserts and boxes of biscuits. But if you’re tangled up with…
Always Connected: Our New Digital Normal
When Covid Shifted Our World: The Quiet Rise of Digital Dependency When Covid struck in 2020, it felt as though the world took a sudden left turn into a different…
10 Things to Remember When Talking with Someone Struggling with Addictive or Life – Controlling Issues
A guide for church leaders, pastoral carers and all who seek to walk alongside those who struggle. As leaders, we are called to walk with compassion and truth alongside those…
Is Scripture Sufficient for Transformed Lives?
A devotional reflection for those seeking to walk in freedom and faith Ponder Dear friend, have you ever felt the weight of life-controlling issues and wondered: “Can God’s Word really…
Overcoming Shame and Finding Courage to Join an Addiction Recovery Group
One of the concerning trends in any kind of addictive, life-controlling issue, is increased isolation and wanting to hide from the world. In many ways, this is more evident in…
Joy that Breaks the Chains of Addictions Part 4: Joy and Grace Awareness in the Trials of Addictive Struggles
Introduction How to discover, and know, joy has been a theme that I have been interested in for a long time. I think this interest grew from my own struggles…
Joy that Breaks the Chains of Addiction: Joy in Community Part 3
A few years ago, I wrote a PhD dissertation on Joy in relation to addictive life-controlling habits. Here is Part 3 in a series of short blogs that have come…
Joy that Breaks the Chain of Addiction: Recognizing Counterfeit Joys that Enslave: Part 2
Counterfeit Joys that Enslave A few years ago, I wrote a PhD dissertation on Joy in relation to addictive life-controlling habits. Here is Part 2: Counterfeit Joys that Enslave, of…
Joy That Breaks the Chains of Addiction — Blog Series Biblical Joy Leads to Freedom: Part 1
A few years ago, I wrote a PhD dissertation on Joy in relation to addictive life-controlling habits. Here is a series of short blogs that have come out of this…
Building Recovery Ministries in the Local Church – Hope and Transformation
Reflection Verse:"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the…
Christian and Secular Recovery – Different Paths, Different Goals
Reflection Verse:"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" – 2 Corinthians 5:17Addiction recovery is a journey that transforms…
The Silent Struggle in the Pews – Why Local Church Recovery Groups Matter
Reflection Verse:"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2Addiction doesn’t stop at the church door. It doesn’t discriminate between the…
Freedom from Addiction in the New Testament: A Battle of the Heart
Brokenness in Every CenturyWhen we think of addiction, it’s tempting to imagine it as a modern epidemic—drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, food. But while the terminology has changed, the New Testament…
Addiction in the Old Testament: A Story of the Heart’s Deepest Longings
Addiction is often seen as a modern crisis—digital, chemical, emotional. But the Bible, even in its oldest texts, is not silent about this struggle. Long before clinical language and recovery…
Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken
One of my favourite authors in the biblical counselling world is David Powlison. He wrote this hopeful, transformative book for those struggling with sexual sin. I wish I had had…
The Hook of Social Media
Why Is Social Media So Addictive? A Biblical Perspective on the Scroll TrapHave you ever opened Instagram, “just for a second” and found yourself still scrolling 30 minutes later? The…
What Free! Recovery is All About!
Discover the transformative power of Free! Recovery, a UK-based Christian ministry dedicated to helping individuals break free from life-controlling habits like addiction and anxiety. Rooted in the message of Galatians 5:1, this program offers a biblical alternative to traditional recovery models. Through its 10-week course, participants engage in personal reflection, support groups, and spiritual renewal, all aimed at fostering true freedom in Christ. Join countless others who have experienced life-changing support and learn how to confront the choices behind addiction. Explore the journey to lasting freedom today! It is for freedom...
The Proper Place for Biblical Change: The Local Church
In this piece I have included links to a couple of articles/blogs for food for thought. Each of these articles speaks about recovery work being the work of the local…
Phone Addiction; A Real Thing?
A Life-Controlling Trend? Recently I have been thinking more about screen and phone usage. This has been triggered by some lack of sleep and wondering if I have been spending…
Bridging the Gap: Moving Congregations to See the Need for a Support Group Ministry
Why have a support group here? Changing a church culture is not easy. It was never meant to be a "them and us" scenario. Somehow the messy and vulnerable of…
Clothed in Christ: Creative Breakthrough from Alcohol Dependency
"I needed something tangible to remind me... Free! has just ended another 10 week programme of biblical insight and support groups. We had a great combination of past and new…
What is Really Going On…
"But looking back on it, the ethereal affects were just an attempt not to have to deal with the loneliness, the lack of direction, and motivation, and worst of all,…
Excerpts from Battleground of the Mind
Nobody will know... One of the many things we often discuss in Free! Recovery is why and how we are so tempted to indulge our addictive or life-controlling behaviours. This…
The More Perilous Side of Addiction
A Traumatic Start to My Using Journey My mom died in a terrible car crash in 1974. Ninety days later, my dad re-married, far too soon for me. I showed…
I’m So Lonely: Choices and Consequences
Jan could easily be sitting next to you in church and you wouldn't know it...She is caught up in a life-controlling issue but it is quite hidden. Sometimes people get…
Paddy’s Story: Alcohol and Finding Escape From the Pain
Last Week... Last week, we heard a radical story linked with alcohol and leading to severe consequences. This week, the victim of an angry alcoholic father turns to alcohol to…
Anger and Alcohol: Jimmy’s Story
The relationship between anger and alcohol Not everyone who drinks has an anger problem, so what happens to cause some to have such aggressive reactions after having a few drinks?…
Surrender; A Pathway to Freedom
Through God’s Grace and Power, I surrender and I change (a sweet deal!) Today's post begins with a quote on surrender and a prayer. It was written by a participant,…
Some thoughts on a Recovery Ministry
This week I am delighted to introduce another new writer to our blog team, Sue Arnold. The following piece is an insightful inside look at a recovery ministry. Sue has…
How to Help a Family Member or Friend if you think they have an Addiction
This week we are going to give you the link to a radio show we did last week. John and I were on the Premier show, Faith, Hope and Love.…
So, Life is Out of Control
This Week's Blog is a section from Session 1 of our 10 Week Course. Do you feel as if your life is out of control?What is the first thought you…
“I Want to “Fix” but I Need to Facilitate
The Qualities of a Facilitator A person who:Is a learner.Has a compassionate heart.Has good listening skillsHas a deep relationship with the Lord.Has a prayer life.As a facilitator, having a heart…
Relational Estrangement: Could a 6 year old’s shame be a cause of future drug use?
Drug Use Begins Somewhere In this very frank account, John has pinpointed a moment of trauma in his life that, in looking back, led to his future drug use. I…
An Inside Look into Thoughts, Fears and Consequences of an Addict: Part 1
Consequences of Using This piece today is an incredibly frank look at an addict's thinking and motivation. I find it an immensely courageous look at personal thought patterns, actions and…
New Year’s Read; 5 Books to Help Combat Life-Controlling Habits
Useful Books to Help Combat Life-Controlling Habits. I thought I would start this new year by sharing 5 books that help shed light on the struggle with addictive behaviours. I,…
5 Themes; 5 Thoughts this Christmas
So you've made it to Christmas Eve... So you've made it to Christmas Eve, you are either with close family, friends or going to be tomorrow. You have pretty fluctuating…