Introduction

Hi, my name is Scott and I am a sinner/addict.

The nice and the terrifying part of my introductory line is that it strips away my self-justification and whatever part of my self-confidence is tied to it. “Step 1: Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable.” Accomplished in one sentence.

Background

I admire the moral courage that I have seen in recovering addicts: I have been jealous of their willingness to admit that they are wrong or need help: that their lives have become unmanageable.

I attended a Church-sponsored addiction group as an assignment for a class. It was an impressive spiritual outpouring with everyone focusing on repentance and changing and dropping their pretenses.

I decided to try to look at my life from this powerful perspective. "You have heard it said that the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried." (JEF)

Anything that I continue to do despite repeated negative consequences? Seems like any sin could fall into this category. Especially under the definition that sin is doing something other than what your heart tells you you should (see Bonds That Make Us Free).

So there it is. I'm a daily user who is just starting to admit that I have a problem. And I intend to work through "A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing", trying to change.

Don't Just Talk: Teach

Although it is a good start, it is not enough to do what I know: I also have to teach what I know. It is psychologically comfortable (read: pride) to consider myself the lone righteous in a crumbling world, but Christ is not interested in the selfish ‘sanctity’ that hopes to be saved alone. Teaching and learning build exalting sociality: lone-righteousness is full of sorrow.

Willing heart

Elijah asks the twelve tribes them to bring their buckets of slimy, disgusting sins forward and pour them on the Altar.
Dripping sins overflow the altar and fill the trench.
But “the fire of the Lord … licked up the water that was in the trench” and Jesus accepted their sacrifice. (1 Kgs. 18: 33-35, 38)

Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

Heavenly Father wants you to think about what you do and don’t know; choose to bless others; and do what you know you should. He will help you: His is the power and glory, forever.

That in me ye might have peace

When the hard times come, you’re not going to faithfully stand by: you’re going to run away with your tail between your legs. And you’ll look back on that and feel hateful about yourself. But I don’t want you to feel hateful about yourself: I want you to be peaceful. I knew you would mess up: I knew when and how and how big you were going to mess up, and I still love you; I still choose you. The more of your sins I forgive, the more you’ll love me. Let me at them! And when you’re done taking the test, I’ll be standing there at the teacher’s desk, ready to clear up the places where you got stuck. I’ll take care of your failings: you just focus on trying to get my work done.

Communication

The council of God to a prophet secluded in quietude from a sinful society: “Get out of your cave.”