Diminished Returns

I heard about this diet guru...She was making millions on the fundamental principle of diminished returns. Simply put, eat whatever you want but while you are eating you must stop when the thrill of the taste is gone..ie..."Diminished Returns."..Thank You Father that You are not like that, when I return what has been freely given to me I continue to receive  Gods blessings in my life...His Peace is unsurpassed when I am working with another addict or alcoholic. His Presence and Joy is unspeakable when I am in His will. By the way if you are reading this and you are searching for answers, wondering what is Gods will...let me ease your search...Gods will is for you to be in intimate relationship with Him and to Love all those you come into contact with...unconditionally...   Abundant Returns !!!!
Peace and Love
Jeff

Fear

Our recovery literature reads " we are driven by 100 forms of fear "....I think it should read 1000.....we live in fear of everything when we are in our addictions. WHY ? Because we measure our success and or failures based on our own power. We look at days ahead and think how am I going to get through. We judge our capabilities based on our own will power and abilities....Anyone can see that any life run on self will is driven by fear. False Evidence Appearing Real....God is my strength, He has my future. He says I will give you enough strength for every situation that arises. No matter what happens He is all I need. As God works through my friends and family to hold me up I can walk through my fears.....and isn't that the definition of courage ?
Peace and Love
Jeff

When God Was Near....

This is a whole new meaning as of late.......After spending 22 years running from God and starring as Satan's MVP I could tell you story after story of near death,literally,near death experiences. I could also tell you of all the Miracles He has performed in my life over the the past, almost decade now, of following Him....but today as I am getting ready to go play at Emmaus Candle Light I feel the need to express the fact that God is ALWAYS with me now !!!! It's awesome to have a continuous conscience contact with the Holy Spirit.....It's truly the one thing that has transformed my life and allowed me to be content no matter what my circumstance.....Even broke,wandering what I want to be when I grow up,rocky relationships and all life has to throw at me.........God is Good ....He was near and He is near..
Peace and Love
Jeff

Remember Me !!!

Some friends of mine have been getting together now for about 25 years....yep its been that long...I used to be remembered as the last one down,the guy who could party all night. People remembered me for all the wrong reasons. Last year I attended that party again......did not drink....was the only bass player there sober enough to play. Everyone knew I was changed....I left at 11:00 pm and as I left Marcus announced to everyone I had to leave cause I was preaching the next morning. The party just happened to fall on our Recovery Sunday weekend.....Some of them actually showed up in church to hear my message....It was awesome.....now I am remembered for the right reasons..........
Peace and Love
P.S.

Six Flags with teen recovery youth was awesome......thanks Mission Abilene for giving those young people to opportunity to have fun.....without consequences  !!!!!!!!!

Show Me The Way

A very famous person once said "Preach the Gospel throughout the world ...and when necessary use words !"...I truly believe this is how it has to start...We are based on attraction...the world needs to see us different and have a desire to be like us or else ANY words are useless......Then once we are in an accountable relationship with Christ and others that is when it needs to go further....we build,edify and encourage....THROUGH LOVE....and speak the truth to our brothers. This helps them clear the path for God to do His transforming work.....We tend to be way over-educated beyond our level of obedience.......That's worth repeating...We tend to be way over-educated beyond our level of obedience !!!
Peace and Love
Jeff

EMPTY

As of late I am anything but EMPTY......I recently participated in a Kairos prison ministry and if you get the chance to do so I highly recommend it.....I watched God do what he does best through the lives of 42 inmates out at the Robertson unit....The fact is but for the grace of God I am not in white.....I learned a lot from the guys at our table "family" its called in Kairos. I poured out my heart and the wisdom He has blessed me with to those guys and WOW what a blessing......Our spiritual life is ALIVE its a living breathing thing much like a body of water...Living Water....it must have an inflow and and outlet lest it becomes stagnant and dies.................
Peace and Love
Jeff

5......5.......5......FIll in the blank...

If you went to the Subway commercial you like myself are flooded with media....
Not to sound churchy but for real the One voice that influences me the most is that small still Voice I hear in my heart and head....That God conscience that I try to let run my life and give me Peace..Pastor Chad, and all the staff at the Mission are number two..Next would be my AA Sponsor Barry B. He has had a daily investment in my life for 7 years and he has my back.no matter what. My wife who speaks into my life on a daily basis also has a strong influence......most of the time.....LOL......
Last but certainly not least....all these influences change order daily....the guys that I sponsor...helping others is probably the one constant that has kept me on track and blessed my life the most.....
Peace and Love
Jeff