Power to Change » addiction

Wrestling with Significance

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:09 +0000

Growing up without a father, Lecrae spent a significant portion of his early life searching for a “father figure” — unfortunately, he was looking in all the wrong places. He looked up to gangsters, got involved with drugs, alcohol, and drinking; before he knew it, his life was slipping into a dangerous downward spiral. As a young man, Lecrae searched for significance and a father figure. Little did he know that someone significant has also been searching for him all along.

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Hope for adult children of divorce
What are you seeking?
Are you in need of a mentor in your life?

Help! I’m Addicted to Porn

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:43:43 +0000

Are you struggling with porn addiction? Is your addiction taking over your life? Porn rewires your brain and you’ll need help overcoming your addiction. There are plenty of resources available to help you beat that addiction. And when it comes to rebuilding your marriage, relationship expert Sheila Wray Gregoire says it takes time but it can be done.

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Are you a woman struggling with porn?
Is porn taking over your marriage?

Nate Larkin – Protecting my Reputation

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:55 +0000

If I asked your friends to describe you, what would they say? And if I asked you to describe yourself, would your answers match up with those of your friends? Consistency in character is certainly no easy feat; it is difficult to keep up one’s persona especially when there is no one watching. Pastor Nate Larkin lived a double life — despite a floundering marriage and a growing inclination to feed his porn addiction, he worked long and hard to protect the reputation that he so carefully built. He knew that the moment his scandal broke out, his ministry would be finished. Little did he know that the trials he was going through were opportunities to build up his character.

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Learn how God can help with your porn addiction
What are the effects of pornography?
Do you need someone to talk to about your struggle with porn?

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it?

Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. If stress dominates your life, you could be looking to move passed those situations. It’s hard to cope with stress when you can’t put the past behind you. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Are you ready to choose a different path?

Jesus came, and died, and rose again to wipe the slate clean. He was scourged, tormented, and finally nailed on the cross for humankind’s sins – this was all part of God’s plan to bring you and I back into relationship with him. God wants to be a part of your life … in fact, not just a part of your life, but wants you to live in full fellowship with Him. Is this the life for you?

God loves you and created you to know Him personally. He longs for you to have the kind of full life you were always meant to have. So why do people not experience this kind of life? People are lost and separated from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love. Because of our sins, we justly deserve judgement. But God provided his Son, Jesus Christ, as the only provision for our sin. He died in our place, then he rose from the dead.

We must individually trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally, receive forgiveness for our sins, and experience His love: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12)

We trust God through faith. You can trust Christ right now by faith through prayer! (Prayer is just talking with God.) God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

Nate Larkin – Protecting my Reputation

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:28 +0000

He knew that the moment the news of his scandal broke out, his ministry would be over. On the outside, Pastor Nate Larkin seemed like your typical guy — happily married, three kids, and a comfortable life. On the inside, however, he was struggling with a porn addiction. Despite a floundering marriage and a growing inclination to feed his addiction, he worked long and hard to protect the reputation that he so carefully built. Little did he know that God had alternate plans. Nate shares the story of journey to understanding the vastness of God’s unfathomable mercy.

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Are you living a double life?
Does porn affect your marriage?
Do you or your spouse need to talk to someone about sexual intimacy and addiction?

My Son’s Involved With a Bad Crowd

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:02:36 +0000

Our son has gotten in with a bad crowd since our divorce. His grades are dropping and he has started going to drinking parties. My ex is basically out of the picture, so I’m on my own with this issue. How can I help my son get back on the right track?

Learning to Appreciate My Family

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:00:47 +0000

Addiction narrows your world down until the only thing you can think about is the drug. Everything else takes a backseat, even family. In times of brokenness it’s hard to see beyond ourselves. We make selfish decisions, we take important things for granted. For one man, it took almost losing his family to realize what he had.

Whether or not you’ve ever been homeless or struggled with addiction, we’ve all done things we’re not proud of. It can be a challenge to love certain family members. How can you learn to appreciate your family?

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Take steps to strengthen your family.
How can you find hope in a struggle with addiction?
Have you been hurt by your family? Talk to us.

I’m a Married Man Struggling with Porn

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:53 +0000

It’s one thing to read all the stats about porn addiction and how many struggle with it but the bottom line is, how do we deal with it? Then there’s that lingering question: am I addicted or just struggling? If you wonder where you are at with porn check out the assessments at: http://www.sexhelp.com/sast.cfm. You might not think that viewing pornography is a big deal. If so watch this clip.

How do you deal with the struggle? It comes down to three things: triggers, pathways and choices you make. Triggers at the things that get your brain thinking about porn. Pay attention to what happens just before you go looking for porn. Are you bored? Tired? Has there been a lack of sex with your wife? (If this is the excuse to you for using porn check out what Dr. Doug Weiss says about it .

Next, look at the pathway you use to get the porn. How easy is it for you to get it? Boredom and tiredness are huge factors why men turn to porn so deal with pathways. Make it difficult to get to. Put internet filters on your computer. Do whatever it takes during the times you don’t feel the urge so that you protect yourself when you do. Go to www.xxxchurch.com for help.

Here is the crux of the whole deal: now that you have observed your triggers and pathways what choices do you make? What will you do to change? Gary Thomas issues a challenge that made me wonder if husbands have the guts to take it on. Here is his challenge: when you are tempted by pornography do something to build your marriage by doing a service that honors your wife.

If you are thinking, “I can do that. No problem.” you’re fooling yourself. In fact it is a struggle greater than men want to admit. For me I have to admit I need strength that comes from outside of me. I make a request from Jesus. I need His power. Does it work? Oh yes, I dare you to try it.

Know your triggers and pathways. Deal with them or porn will slowly smother you and your relationships. If you are looking for some books check out: When Good Men are Tempted, Everyman’s Battle, Pure Eyes and Final Freedom.

Family Life offers hope for struggling marriages. Here is a resource for sexual issues. Watch this related video: Help I’m addicted to Porn.

Are you struggling with porn? Do you need to talk? Either contact us privately by filling out this form and one of our mentors will contact you or make a comment about this article below the form.

Brian Welch – For A Better Life

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:57 +0000

Brian “Head” Welch’s life was spinning out of control. As lead guitarist for the band Korn, people worshipped his music. He made all the money, had all the cars, houses and women he could handle, but still found himself with a crippling addiction to Meth. “I couldn’t stay sober. I didn’t know how. I hit rock bottom.” Brian wanted to quit, but what if quitting required complete surrender?

What about you? Is your life spinning out of control? We can help you get control back.

What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Are you ready to choose a different path?

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If it does, pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Becoming a Healer from Addictions

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:52:06 +0000

How can a person who is struggling with addictions to alcohol, sex, and gambling continue to lead worship at his church? Only by living a lie. As an addiction counselor, John witnesses that man’s transformation as he worked through the twelve step program with him. Now that same man counsels others in their addictions. Are you struggling with addictions? Or would you like to help others who are? Explore the ministry of Intercultural Network!

What’s Your Dream Job?

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:45:12 +0000

What do you love to do? Unfortunately many people get stuck in jobs that have nothing to do with their passions. Paying the bills is the first priority, and so often we take whatever job we can get. But ideally, what would you love to do? John has found a way to work at a job that he loves, even working beyond usual retirement age. What would you love to do with your life? Do you believe your life has a purpose, a destiny that it’s possible to realize?