Search Results for: self care

by Dale and Juanita Ryan Imagine you are transferring the ownership of your life to God in the same way you would transfer ownership of a business. One of the first things you would do in negotiating to sell a business would be to take an inventory to discover the damaged or out-of-date goods that are no longer salable. In Step Four we call it a "moral" inventory because we compile a list of … [Read more...] about Step Four

an interview with Clark Burlew Clark Burlew is a recovering alcoholic who carrys the message of recovery to others. He has helped develop and administer treatment and recovery programs for many years. He is currently the Director of Marketing and Outpatient Services at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers in San Juan Capistrano, California. … [Read more...] about Breaking the Chains of Substance Abuse

Open 12 step meetings are at the core of many church-based recovery ministries. Modeled after the customs and group dynamics of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, these meetings allow participants to practice the Christian disciplines of confession, testimony and prayer in a safe and confidential environment. The word 'open' implies only that new participants are welcome to join the group at any time. … [Read more...] about MEETING FORMAT FOR AN OPEN 12 STEP MEETING

Recovery support groups are unique; they involve various legal, financial and emotional aspects that do not always apply to Bible studies or congregational care groups. Consequently, pastors, counselors and other church leaders interested in forming a recovery ministry within the church need to understand the function and objectives of these groups. Church leaders must first learn the … [Read more...] about Chapter 4: Forming a Recovery Ministry

It begins by admitting you have a smelly refrigerator. by Patrick Means Last summer, my wife and I returned home from a month-long trip to find a foul odor in the house. It didn't take us long to trace the odor to the refrigerator. Inside, we discovered fuzzy gray mold covering several of the surfaces, and a vegetable crisper full of unrecognizable lumps and putrid black liquid. It took a … [Read more...] about Dealing with Your Dark Side: Part 2

If we were all hanging out in my office drinking coffee and chit chatting you might get a bit bored and start examining my bookshelves. (I always do that when I go to someone’s office.) In the top left corner of my bookcases for at least two shelves are books on codependency. I believe I own all books with the “c” word in the title. You might turn to me and say, “Hey, you have a lot of … [Read more...] about Codependency and Boundaries

by Patrick A. Means Lay down the mask and give up trying to look perfect. It's like a bald man with a bad toupe'; you're not fooling anyone anyway. "Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody." Mark Twain I could feel my heart thudding as I mounted the platform to the applause of the staff crowding the auditorium. I had just been introduced as the new national … [Read more...] about Two Essays on Perfectionism for People in Recovery