Category Archives: Public Speaking

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 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.

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Family Awareness Month

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Greetings Recovery Community,

This month is a month that I will be lecturing on “Family Enabling” and “Family Codependency”, and overall reaction to addicts and alcoholics behaviors.  I’d like to share with you first, a letter that a mom has sent to me from Boca Raton, Florida about her son Billy, that stayed with Doorway to Recovery for a short time…  Here is that letter:

“I am very sad of the news of my son. I was hopeful this would be a good start for his wellness program and new life. But as we know it’s completely up to the person. When he’s ready it will happen. Unfortunately the next few years of his life will be spent in solitude but at least he will be forced to be sober. I do not believe that jail is the answer for those who suffer so deeply from addiction but when you commit a crime there is a price to pay. I am hopeful Billy will learn his lesson and one day be an example to others. He has a good heart just a polluted mind.

Thank you to you and your staff for your support and the time that you spent with me and my son. I do appreciate what you do. Billy also said that he was so thankful as well. Unfortunately his actions showed differently.

Please extend my apologizes to you and your staff on behalf of my family.”

 

Having worked with this young man, Billy, for a short time, I found this man to be troubled and in need of guidance and counseling in several areas.  Having talked with his mother after Billy’s incident, and reading her email; gave me insight to this mom’s love and nurturing of her son.  Being far away, in another state, and trying to be in her son’s life is a difficult thing.  Thankfully, she is supported by her husband and other community members that she has no control over Billy.  Only through prayer and self surrendering can she make it through another day.  I talked with her that the things that Billy will need is  a relationship with god, with therapy, and with a sober community.  Here at The Doorway to Recovery, myself and staff will continue to pray for Billy and his family, in their ongoing search for peace and happiness.

 

God be with you as always.
In His Service,
Mark Burchell

 

My First Open Talk – Forgiveness and Reconciliation

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I gave my first Open Talk at Troy, Woodside Bible Church in front of a large group of people.  This talk was a testimony of my storms, with and without Christ.  It was very scary to say the least, as I looked out and saw faces that I thought were there to judge me.  I closed my eyes, I asked Christ to come into my heart; to give me the words I needed to say, and as always he did.  As I talked about my sin, and how through that sin I have caused a lot of hurt, I found it to be very healing.  I spoke of me and my participation, and my character defects.  Christ was working though me because out of my mouth came love and forgiveness, not anger and resentment.  This was so refreshing.

At the end of the talk, which was about 45 minutes (that’s a new one for me); people all gathered around me to pray and let me know how surprised they were that I didn’t play the victim role.  Two of those people in the crowd were therapists.  After breaking away into our men’s group, the two male therapists shared how angry and mad they were at for me for the things that they had read and heard; admitting that they have their faults and sins as well, and who are they to hold those resentments.  But because of Christ and his love, and teaching of forgiveness, they were able to look at me in a different way.  I am so grateful to my friends at Woodside Bible, Larry, Gail, Tony, Mark, for allowing me to come in and openly confess my hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  I love Christ; I love Celebrate Recovery, my love to all of you.

Blessings your way,

 

Mark Burchell.