Category Archives: Christian

Trade the Daily Trash for Treasure

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Hi… I am so glad you stopped by to see me today, because I have a question for you.  Do you ever share my feeling of being overwhelmed and emotionally drained by all the trash and social debris coming at us every day?  If you too have had this experience, I have someone I would like you to meet… his name is Randy Pausch and he can help deliver some treasure to you today.  He was born on October 23, 1960 and he likes to talk about achieving your childhood dreams.  He actually did reach some of his childhood goals before he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer… a diagnosis that is almost a death sentence!  So, for Randy, with that diagnosis made for him, he had only about six months to live.  He was then, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and he was a perennial favorite with the students.  They loved his innovative class and his lectures!  So, with his unusual upbeat personality and sense of humor, a genuine sense of character that came through loud and clear, he courageously delivered “The Last Lecture” in September, 2007.  Randy passed away on July 25, 2008.  His message, for all of us, has been preserved in a small book, aptly entitled, “The Last Lecture!”  The message in the book will inspire you, and the following is a preview of Randy’s profound ant thought provoking quotations.

“Brick walls are there for a purpose… they let you prove how badly you want something!” James 4:17, So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted!”  Job 12:12, With the ancient is wisdom and in length of days understanding.

“Critics are your best friends… if they stop telling you what you are doing wrong, it means they do not care anymore.”  Proverbs 13:18, Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.”

Want more?  Get the book!

Boom-Boom’s Advice On Well Calculated Risks

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For every success we experience, we have usually had to venture out into the unknown, to get there.  We have had to step out of what is comfortable for us, but sometimes our own personal comfort zone, is a zone that restricts our growth!  In order for us to move forward, often we have to take a well calculated risk.  There is always a safety net… ask God for his guidance… the good places you can go with Him are not always clear from your vantage point… we are not in control.  Let Him open the door for you.

A decision may bring you to the very edge of a wonderful new experience… a promotion, a fresh love, a new friend, a new destiny.  Listen carefully… you have asked for His direction… He may whisper, but He will guide you.  The opportunity before you may present itself only once!  Do not be afraid to try something new.  Don’t negatively “what if” yourself into a life of confinement or stagnation.  Take God with you on the journey of a well calculated risk.

Revelation 3:8, “I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”  NIV

Dynamic Quotes From Some Who Have “Been There”

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“When things go wrong, don’t go with them!”  Roger Babson

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you!”  Jim Rohn

“If the addict is pleased with your help, you are probably enabling.”  Sandy Swenson, Author

“Rock bottoms became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”  J.K. Rawling, author, Harry Potter Books

“There is no person walking the face of the earth who demonstrates more courage, dignity, honesty, and integrity, on a daily basis, than an addict in recovery.”  Anonymous

“Recovery did not open the gates of Heaven and let me in.  Recovery opened the gates of Hell and let me out!”  Anonymous

“Addiction is the only disease that manipulates your mind and assures you that you do not have it” AddictsToday.com

“I am not defined by my relapses, but my decision to stay in recovery despite them.”  RecoveryExperts.com

“Just because your father was an alcoholic, or drug addict, or any other dysfunctional behavior, do not be tempted to use that as your excuse.  If you do, you are looking at the wrong Father!”

“Eventually, every addict WILL have their last high… choose recovery so you can talk about yours!”  (paraphrased author unknown)

 

Boom-Boom cares… really cares from the depths of my heart!  I am crying for those of you who may be lost and are resisting recovery.  Just know that He has cleared your runway and you are ready for takeoff to something much better, if you choose.  Additionally, if you are in recovery, I am filled with deep admiration for your courage and sense of purpose!  I am praying for all of you and your Father is calling you all near to Him.  His grace and mercy, for you, is far greater than your greatest sin!
1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Ms. LaRue Inquires: Looking for the Easy A?

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A psychology professor wanted to demonstrate the impact of carrying around personal or emotional burdens.  He gave each student in the class, an 8 ounce Styrofoam cup, which represented the burdens, and asked them to lift it up and hold it out for a few minutes.  Everyone agreed, the cup was so light that this was not a problem!  The professor then filled each cup to the top, with water and again asked the students to lift it up and hold it out for a few minutes.  Although the cups were now heavier than when they were empty, with a little effort, everyone was able to do just that.

The professor proceeded with his lesson and instructed the class to hold the filled cups up for the next hour of the class.  Those who still had their cup up at the end of the class period would receive an A for the day.  There was much excitement as the students discussed how elated they were to have such an easy assignment!  At first, the cups seemed light enough, so this A was a sure bet!

Believe Ms. LaRue when I say it came as a shock to the class, as one by one, they discovered the cups were becoming heavier and heavier the longer they were held up.  They had to be put down… this was commanded out of necessity!  After 25 minutes had passed, the majority of the cups were back on the table… the load simply became overwhelming!  A couple of students made it to 30 minutes and two made it to 40 minutes, but no one earned the A!  It was astonishing to discover something that appeared to be so light eventually became an impossible burden.  And so it is with our own personal troubles… no matter how insignificant they first appear, when carried around long enough, it becomes impossible to continue.  They must be set down and that may not be pretty!  They will weigh you down and throw a blanket of darkness upon you.  It will become an arduous journey!

But burden is a choice, so why not start to practice putting them down or turning them over to someone else before you are forced to do so?  You will improve at anything if you practice enough.  Want to know a great place to start that practice?  Here is where you will find the easy A!

Psalms 55:22  “Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee:  He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  KJV

Matthew 11:28-29  “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Ms. LaRue and the Magnificent Gift of a Lifetime Received at “The Magic Show”

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Hi….  I have been expecting you…  I really look forward to your arrival…  so don’t forget that we have arranged for a regular meeting together, right here.  I will be watching for you!

Today, as I promised I would, in the first blog, “The Magic Show”, I will try to describe the indescribable during our time together.  Words are indeed powerful instruments, but sometimes, even they are not adequate!  This is one of those times, but words are all I have, so please try to understand!

I had been coming to the Doorway “Magic Show”, I for about nine months, when Mark Burchell, my counselor, first suggested we close the “show” with a prayer.   Being a religious doubter and wanderer, which Mr. Burchell was aware of, my usual response was to say, “No thanks, I do not find much meaning in that, so let’s just move on.”  But something was very different about that day, about 4 o’clock, May 16, 2016.  Some vague force nudged me into participating in that prayer, in that moment!  I mean fully participate as I had never done before!  My mind was open, exposed, and free of any other distracting thoughts.  Very, very unusual for me, as I always like to keep control…  always!

There we were, two people being connected by a prayer!  Mark began, and his words spilled from his heart and out through his mouth, and they engulfed the room like a sweet, light mist filling the entire space.  His voice was the only sound behind those closed doors, and it suddenly occurred to me that I had not heard a prayer in many, many years.  These beautiful, soft, reassuring words of gratitude enveloped me…  I was transfixed and frozen in that moment!  And then it happened!  The most splendid, magnificent bonus of a lifetime!  It was as if I was suspended in that space, in that time…  I was a complete captive of the moment!  It was impossible to let anything else in that space or my mind.  I was being visited by the Holy Spirit!  It was tender, gentle, peaceful and overwhelmingly intense!  Warmth surrounded me… it was as if I was being cloaked in a warm wrap!  I experienced a sense of love in its purest form, and it was beyond anything we understood on this earth.  I was engulfed by it all.  It was very intimate, but not sensual, and it was just for me.  Again, I am trying to relay to you, my friend, the indescribable…  I was scared straight!  A wonderful scared…  I could not get enough…  I never wanted it to end, but then He was gone leaving  me in complete wonderment and joy!  His duty accomplished… a job well done!  It was truly a moment of Paradise… miracles do occur in the strangest of places!

That happened on a Monday, and the following Sunday I was in church for the first time in over 40 years.  I have been there every Sunday since then…  what a beautiful bonus of a lifetime from “The Magic Show.”  I firmly believe that this only happened because the right people were in the right place at the right time!  Somehow, over time, I had moved away from my early, strong Christian training…  I was wandering, but apparently not lost!  I knew home when I saw it!  My joy light was lit!

Come dream with me…  it can happen to you.  Believe!

Boom-Boom-LaRue Asks, “Where Is Your Spot for “R&R”

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Do you have a favorite spot for rest and relaxation…  “R&R”  My favorite is “that place” known as Torch Lake in Northern Michigan.  I was showing a friend some photographs, and included were some stunning aquamarine shots of the lake and “that place.”  She was reflecting all the dazzling glory she could muster, in honor of The Great Creator…  He is known to us as God!  The photos were beautifully ethereal in nature!  Spectacular!  Sometimes, when I cannot actually be there, I recreate “that place” in my mind.  A perfect spot to have a private chat with God and some personal reflection.

The natural beauty, the serene and magnificent lake, the evening hush, the stars, the crisp air, and the forest will always be there…  a technicolor testimony to God’s power!

When I have to leave, I leave filled with joy… joy because it happened and because it is on loan to us from God!  Joy because it has the power to rejuvenate me, both in reality and in my imagination.  I have learned an “intense and absorbing respect for life” in “that place” and for He who loaned it to us to treasure while we are here.  Thank you God.  It has been a great run, with you, in “that place.”  I have been so lucky to have shared in the glory of your loan!

Boom-Boom LaRue Talks About Kiss N’ Clean

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Yes, it is true, even “rockers” choose to stay “clean.”  Gene Simmons, lead singer from the popular group, Kiss, was quoted in the L.A. Times as saying, “I’ve never been drunk or high.  I am not here to convince anyone of my lifestyle.  This is what I want for me.“  He further sated he “does not understand why someone would choose to hamper their ability to succeed, by drinking and doing drugs.”  Simmons claims that his drug of choice is his own accomplishments!  Despite being in an industry that practically demands and expects participation in the drug and alcohol culture, Simmons has abstained from that destructive world to honor and respect his mother.  (5th commandment:  “Honor your mother and your father, that your days may be long upon the land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you.”)  She survived the unspeakable horrors of a Nazi concentration camp but most of her family lost their lives there.  Simmons is her only child.  (Leviticus 19:32  “Stand up in the presence of the elderly and show respect for the aged”)

Kiss is the #1 American Gold Record Award winning group of all time.  Simmons given name is Chaim Witz.

 

“It is better to walk alone, than with a group going in the wrong direction!”
Diane Grant, Canadian playwright and screenwriter.

11-29-16-gene-simmons

For Loved Ones…

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Navigating the ways of the recovery community can be….. let’s just say, difficult.  There are so many wonderful people who work at great organizations designed to help any individual through the addiction recovery process, but lets face it, sometimes they can be a challenge to find.  If a loved one of yours is facing an addiction issue, here are some good steps that you can look into….  Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor, nor a medical professional, and these are opinions based off experience that I’ve had working with individuals in the recovery field.  Take no action off these opinions, but only off sound decisions that you research for yourself.  Of course, I need not say, The Doorway to Recovery, or the author of this blog assumes no liability for actions taken based off these opinions…

If you have a loved one who is dependent on a substance, whether it be a legal substance (alcohol), a prescribed controlled substance (xanax, suboxone, pain killers, stimulants, …etc…), or an illegal substance (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, …etc…) chances are you may not know where to turn.  First and foremost, remember that The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you and you loved ones, and we are just a phone call away (248-987-2696)…  We offer sober living homes for men and women in addiction recovery where our participants are able to live a life in recovery, stay clean/sober, maintain employment, and slowly transition from living a life in addiction to living a life in recovery…

This article is going to depict a typical path of recovery that you can suggest for a loved one… Of course if they don’t make the decision to get clean/sober on their own, any piece of the chain may not work….  An intervention can help with that.  The following steps are designed as a guide to someone who wants to get clean and sober…  Take a look…

1.) Detox – Many times an individual who is chemically dependent needs to be detoxed from the substance that they are using…   The detox process can often be painful, and will often require medical attention to make sure that the withdraw symptoms are handled properly and do not pose danger for the individual going through the detox…   It’s always best to have a doctor around for this. Many local institutions from hospitals to rehabilitation centers offer detoxification services.   Remember  – the detox process should be monitored in many cases to ensure the safety….  Detoxing from many substances, including alcohol, can cause serious repercussions that can be a danger to their well-being or even life; for this reason it is almost vital that an evaluation of the individual is done, to make sure they enter into the correct level of care.  For this, you may speak with any doctor, or for a stronger opinion – talk to somebody in the recovery field… An interventionist, a staff member at a recovery center, or a loved one who has successfully worked a recovery program from a similar substance.

2.) Impatient rehab – Quite often after one has detoxed from a substance, there is nothing to stop them from going back to using, other than a true and genuine desire to stop.  Many times, a residential inpatient program can help with that… sometimes known as “rehab”, it is a place where men and women are still near the medical staff, but they are also introduced to the recovery community.  This is done through education, therapy, group therapy, and other programs designed to break the cycle of addiction.  These programs can last as little as 2-3 days, but can go as long as a year…    These days, I’d say that the typical inpatient residential stay is 1-4 weeks.

3.a) Sober Living – When leaving an inpatient program, men and women are frequently tempted to use their substance of choice if they return to where they were living before, as a return to their old environment where using was a typical part of life is a very difficult challenge to face clean and sober.  They are in need of a structured program that will allow for them to grow in their recovery journey, and still seek help to address the issues that come up that threaten their recovery journey.  Many individuals will find a change of space into a sober living home, transitional housing, or halfway house to be beneficial.  Also, some individuals who do not go to an inpatient rehabilitation program find sober living beneficial when faced with struggles of staying clean and sober.   The Doorway to Recovery offers sober living homes for men and women throughout the Detroit Area.  The key to success for someone who stays at a sober living home is that they do not return to the familiar faces, places, and situations that had initially caused them to use drugs and/or drink alcohol in the first place….  Being around people who are sharing in similar struggles, and overcoming them is the key to the high success rate of a sober living program.  With that being added, the structure of housing and program rules can only add benefit to the stay.  Sober living homes often require that participants attend AA, NA, or Celebrate Recovery Meetings.  Drug and alcohol testing is important in this process to prevent relapse.  The Doorway to Recovery offers this – safe, structured, recovery based housing where men and women can live together, pulling each other along the journey of recovery.  Men and women are encouraged to stay at Doorway to Recovery for at least a year, so that they are able to see the changes that come throughout the seasons, that were normally blocked from the use of drugs and alcohol.  Sober living is almost a necessity for men and women who are truly committed to living a full recovery.

3.b) I.O.P./Therapy/Counseling – Drug and alcohol addiction runs hand and hand with mental illness.  Therapy and counseling are almost always vital to help in the continued process of recovery.  I.O.P. is a continued program for men and women who are going through a recovery program but either aren’t accepted into an inpatient residential program (sometimes due to insurance or other factors), or have completed an inpatient stay and would like to continue on a substance abuse focused recovery program.  There are I.O.P. Programs located throughout the area with many different methods of payment including insurance, financing, and payment plans.

3.c) Support Groups – Support groups are vital through the recovery process, and in the experience of the staff at The Doorway to Recovery, faith based support is the best way to go about the recovery journey.  Faith based recovery programs such as Celebrate Recovery, AA, or NA, use the twelve-steps as a pathway to finding peace with God, the one who brings about a full recovery from anything that anyone could be struggling with.  The twelve-steps are founded on the basic principle of getting support that is needed, growing spiritually, and in turn, helping others.  Doorway to Recovery feels so strongly about twelve-step recovery programs, that it is requirement for all participants to attend twelve-step recovery meetings on a regular basis, at least six per week in fact.  For a complete listing of Celebrate Recovery meetings in the area, visit www.celebraterecoverymichigan.org, for AA Meetings visit www.aa-semi.org, or for NA Meetings, visit www.michigan-na.org.

I hope that this blog has been able to help some of you who are looking help, either for yourself or for a loved one.  If you would like to know more about services that The Doorway to Recovery offers, or you have questions about how and where to begin the recovery journey, please do not hesitate to contact our office at any time.  Our staff would gladly point you in the right direction.  Remember, The Doorway to Recovery is always open to you!

Sincerely,

 

Ruben M. Carreri
Administrative Director and Intake Coordinator
The Doorway to Recovery Program and Services Inc.
33634 W Eight Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-987-2696 – Office
877-751-7925 – 24 Hours
Ruben.Carreri@thedoorwaytorecovery.org

Becoming the Man God Designed Me to be

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I’ve heard it said that a real man rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, exemplifies integrity, has reconciled with his past, is working on leaving a legacy and expects a greater reward!

As I spoke about at Woodside Bible Church in Troy and in my last blog, I haven’t always been that man. However, through Christ, with my family, friends and my brothers in Christ I am working on becoming that man in the following ways:

  • Rejects Passivity – Instead of ignoring the problems and issues and hoping they just go away, I am facing them head on and I know that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
  • Accepts Responsibility – I am taking full responsibility for my failures of the past and my actions of the future by submitting myself to God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
  • Leads Courageously – I will love and lead my family and business with the courage to always do the right thing even when it isn’t comfortable. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
  • Exemplifies Integrity – I will be the example of integrity by being a man of my word and a man of The Word. “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.” – Proverbs 28:18
  • Reconciled with his past – I have faced my failures, accepted responsibility for my actions, asked for forgiveness and stand in the truth that “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” – 2 Corinthians 5:18
  • Working on leaving a legacy – I do not want to be remembered by my failures but by my love and the way I allowed Christ’s love to show through me, that is a true legacy! – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. – John 13:34
  • Expecting a Greater Reward – I know because I have chosen to follow Jesus, I have a guaranteed reward “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” – Philippians 3:20-21

I hope you have made the choice to follow Him too!