Monday, January 23, 2012

Hello and good morning to all our visitors and new members. So glad you are here. Please write or call anytime. 239 . 851 . 2283.

Today's Inspiration............MY WILL OR HIS WILL :?

Alcoholics / Addicts are people who started using or drinking for a variety of reasons. For many it was to get outside themselves and leave their inhibitions behind or just to have fun or because, in the beginning, it felt so good. Sometimes, it is to deal with depression or significant emotional events. Other times it is for acceptance. No one wants to feel left out or like an odd duck and not hip to today's experiences. We usually start out slow and a few of us go full tilt from day one. We humans are truly strange creatures. If God didn't love us so much, he would have never put up with us this long. We are always making the same mistakes and suffer the same consequences over and over again, but that the pain and hopelessness grows so much worse. They refuse to admit they have a problem. It doesn't make us weak, it make us smart and opens the door for help. So maybe we don't make it for a while in recovery and relapse.

SO WE KEEP TRYING. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON YOU. YOU ARE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU HAVE..... and the only one. They still think they can handle the stuff. They won't swallow their pride and admit that they're different from others with a life controlling issue and there are many. God will help you if you are truly workig the steps. # 3 is all about surrender and turning your life and will over to God. It doesn't make you weak. It opens a door to a whole new world for you and me.

My drink of choice is ginger ale if I am feeling sweet or club soda with a twist and I never get tired of them. Once in a while, I will have a root beer. I goes so good with chili dogs.

I have an addictive personality in so many areas. I must constantly police myself and pray every day for God's mercy and strength. Some days, I feel like a winner and other times, not so much.

Then I rush to a meeting and come away smiling and happy. My four years in therapy also made a big difference. I take a hand up from anyone who will lend one. I am proud of some accomplishments which took hard work and committment but I never ever want to be prideful or full of pride. God is in the driver's seat and I am just the co-pilot. Some of us need more encouragement than others. We are all beautiful and different just like a snow flake. No two alike even if they look somewhat the same.

Heart and Soul

I believe that God has all power. It is His to give and His to withhold. I pray for good gifts and life lessons that will keep me out of trouble and from hurting the people I love.

He will not withhold it from the person who stays close to him. It is just like my children, when they are trying to do right, I run to help them if they want it. If they are doing dumb, I just make some suggestions and let them decide what works and what does not. God lives in me and through me. His spirit directs my path, Proverbs 3:5. I will learn to live in God's presence and then I will have those things, which are God's will for me. Not every prayer is answered yes. Others are answered no because they are not good for us. If we really push God, He will usually let us have what we want and then find out, the hard way that our Heavenly Father has a better idea. Sometimes, the best looking package is not what is good for us. Many years ago, I had a troubles, lonely, stubborn friend who always wanted to do his own thing. He made himself and outcast. Many reached out to him. His father got him a good job with a great pay check. He had been using drugs for many years to self medicate. Then he went out and bought a shiny new red corvette convertible. He was always looking for what was missing in his life.

One night after work, he took the corvette up to 120 mph and died in a wreck. power, and joy.

When God was missing from my life, He sent a friend to share his faith and re-kindle mine. God did not stick me in some third world in a mud hut to be a preacher, although he might, but first He and I would come to terms with such an idea. Maybe someday, I will go back to Viet Nam. The thought has always been in my mind, but the time is not yet, if at all.

Where will God take you when you surrender? I don't know but it will be an exciting adventure full of love and happiness and I am sure, more than a few tears, but that is life on this planet.

God's Word says there are no tears or crying in heaven. I am looking forward to it and seeing all my friends and loved ones who have gone on before me. What a re-union that will be!

The bible refers to it as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may get myself out of the way, so that God's power may flow in and out of me to others. I pray that I may surrender myself to Him and His will for me.

10 DAYS LEFT FOR FREE OFFERS OF:

CHAPLAIN'S NECKLACE

DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL

WELCOME PACKET

Just send your full name and mailing address: Confidential and anonymous.

My mailing address is:

Chaplain John Petruska

5781 LEE BLVD. # 208 - 394

LEHIGH, FL. 33971

Please send any recovery literature that you can. New or used in good shape is a huge blessing to all our clients and friends in recovery and me.

Tuesday night, I will celebrate my birthday at rehab. # 63. I will take a sheet cake and maybe some ice cream also to share with my brothers and sisters in Recovery.

Hugs 2 all

pj