Pastor Mike's Blog

In the last several years, recovery ministries have been springing up all over the Dayton, Ohio area. With the opioid epidemic, many people in the church decided they wanted to get involved and start these ministries. For several years I helped start several recovery ministries in the area and elsewhere. My passion for those who need recovery comes from losing my father when I was 15 to an overdose, and ultimately becoming an alcoholic myself. By the grace of God, today I am more than 8 years sober and try to stay involved in these types of ministries. Four to five years ago I would be praising these ministries and churches for simply opening their doors to those in need and being willing to help. However, in the last couple of years I have attended several recovery ministries and left feeling concerned about the direction we are headed in. My primary concern is the motive of the leaders involved in recovery ministries. I realize many people are in recovery and love Jesus, however

The word "forgiveness" is common among Christians. Many of us are familiar enough to quote what the Bible says about it. However, it is still one of the hardest things for us all to do. When we offend or cause harm to others, we immediate quote the Bible and want to be forgiven right now! But when someone offends us, we hold on to the resentment to keep “one in the bank” for later. In other words, we use the offense as a sense of power over the offender to control the relationship for as long as possible. On the other hand, if we don’t hold on to the offense until we get “justice,” we will never forgive the offender. The problem with the power struggle is pride. Pride and ego are at the center of almost every long-term quarrel. Think about it; If you take out the pride in every disagreement, and put love for the other person ahead of your pride, how much argument do you have left? In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) we read, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandmen