Tag: Hope

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Tetelestai Recovery

Transcending Addiction: A Progressive Approach

lastwordrecovery

The Tetelestai Recovery Series is a collection of faith-based recovery books written by Marc and Lori Ridenour, based on their own experience with alcoholism and drug addiction. Rooted in the biblical declaration “It is finished” (John 19:30), the series offers a faith-based approach to finding lasting freedom from addiction and the emotional wreckage that accompanies it. 

Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook formats.

Volume 1: Tetelestai Recovery: It is Finished
Introduces the core concepts of the series. It targets suffering addicts, chronic relapsers, and their loved ones. The authors provide evidence of permanent sobriety by focusing on Christ’s ultimate healing rather than the traditional life-long struggle.

You can browse this volume on Amazon.

Volume 2: Our New Normal
Focuses on the often awkward and overwhelming early stages of sobriety. This book guides readers through identifying and resolving emotional and social dysfunctions, helping them navigate fears and resentments.

https://a.co/d/04079fyX

Volume 3: Leveling Up
A lifeline designed to assist individuals in achieving long-term, lasting victory over any addiction to reach their full potential. 

https://a.co/d/06VM8Qz1

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Tetelestai Recovery

The Feeding of the Five Thousand: A Lesson in Generosity

lastwordrecovery
Picnic on wooden table with bread, fish, butter, and mug by lake at sunset with group on shore

In the multiplication miracle of feeding the five thousand, we see that Jesus was happy to give the hungry people as much food as they wanted. They ate until they were satisfied, and there was plenty left over.

By this example, we can rest assured that Jesus is pleased when He is given the opportunity to be generous. He is not stingy or miserly when it comes to providing the necessities of life. He will not withhold the resources needed to fulfill our destinies. We know that He wants us to have everything we need to successfully complete our human journey. However, there are times we may feel uncomfortable asking, for fear our requests might be based upon selfish motives.

As we level up, we learn this is a needless fear. God is a loving Father. He will not give us something that is bad for us. We think back to the days when our children were young, and they asked for candy when it was time for dinner. We didn’t judge or condemn them. We simply said, “No. That’s not good for you,” and then provided them with a healthy option instead. We know that God will do the same for us. He won’t give us anything that will do harm. We trust Him to protect us; sometimes even from ourselves.

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Tetelestai Recovery

Rerouting Your Brain: Overcoming Circular Thinking Patterns

lastwordrecovery

“Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

To level up, we must evaluate the quality of our thoughts. There are established neuropathways in our brains that need to be rerouted. We do not wish to remain stuck in circular thought processes, like mental roundabouts, which have no outlet or resolution.

When suspicious thoughts come to mind, after an encounter with someone we don’t trust, we go into self-preservation mode and begin analyzing all the things they said or did that just don’t add up. We evaluate our observations to confirm our suspicions. We are angry that they think we can be so easily manipulated. We contemplate ways we can call it out and let them know we are onto them.

Our mental trails lead us into darkened paths, where we get tangled in the weeds of irritation and resentment. We are offended and angered by such a lack of respect. We vow to be more defiant and difficult, to prevent ourselves from being underestimated again.

By the time we cycle through the process described in the last two paragraphs, several hours have passed and we find ourselves in a depressive state of mind. The series of events that triggered the entire process are irrelevant. Our thoughts, fears, and imaginations merged into a twisted reality that we forced ourselves to endure.

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Tetelestai Recovery

Understanding Tests: Patience as a Path to Growth

lastwordrecovery
Person hiking on mountain trail with wildflowers and distant mountains

When caught up in a moment of testing, we must resist letting our feelings and circumstances serve as a litmus test for our faith. It is not healthy, nor is it accurate.

Tests are for the express purpose of developing patience. Whether the tests come from internal or external forces, they have a purpose. Some of the tests we face are due to our own weaknesses and might easily become our demise, but even then, God always has a better plan. Any test that activates patience is beneficial. Guilt and blame serve no purpose.

Patience tells us that tests are only temporary. Patience tells us that God is doing a good work in us, and He will complete it. Patience tells us not to judge our walk by one random stumble. Patience keeps us steady as we wait for the storm to pass.

It is patience that we lack when we throw up our hands and give up. It is patience that we lack when we question our progress. It is patience that will get us to the finish line. It is patience that will help us be gentle with ourselves.

Sometimes, our tests are random and spring up like a pop quiz. Other times, an ominous test looms far in the future, and we struggle to avoid it. However, considering our passage from James, we need not avoid tests. They all have a purpose; even the ones we fail. If the test teaches us to be patient, with ourselves, with God, or with another human being, we have passed. With God, we are always in a win-win situation.

Our tests are to develop patience. The work of patience is to develop perfection. There is no fast track from one to the other. Each test takes time. That’s where patience does its work.

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Ripe and unripe tomatoes growing on a garden vine tied to a wooden stake.
Tetelestai Recovery

How Babies and Tomatoes Teach Us About Perfection

lastwordrecovery

People commonly use the word perfect to describe a newborn baby. Babies are inadequate in every way. They are unable to feed themselves, walk, read, or even roll over. Sometimes they cry or make messes. Yet, we say they are perfect. Every stage is perfect and necessary in the process of transitioning to the next stage.

A tiny green tomato on the vine is a perfect tomato, although it does not have the color, flavor, or texture of a fully ripened tomato. The tiny green fruit is perfect, but it is not yet useful for its intended purpose. If it remains on the vine, the perfect green tomato will grow into its full potential. And throughout each stage of its growth, it will continue to be perfect.

Thus, we conclude that perfection is about potential. Perfection has little to do with current behavior or ability, but a lot to do with our mindset. Perfection is a state of being which maintains continuous momentum toward progress…

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Tetelestai Recovery

Embracing Confidence in God’s Perfection

lastwordrecovery

“Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

It feels wrong to say we are perfect. We aren’t quite sure how to align the character qualities of honesty and humility with such a bold statement. It seems like both a brag and a lie.

Yet, we believe in a God of faith, who “calls things that are not, as if they are” (Romans 4:17). His words make things happen and His words say we are being made perfect.

Therefore, if we remove the dimension of time, we can most assuredly say that somewhere in time, it has happened. Therefore, we step outside of time and claim it now. We call out what God has promised and continue declaring it until the truth becomes our reality… 

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Tetelestai Recovery

Can We Be Perfect? Exploring Jesus’ Challenge

lastwordrecovery

Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

We wonder why Jesus would make such an outrageous suggestion. How could we possibly ever be perfect?

Ironically, when we claim that we are not perfect, we are speaking in direct opposition to these words of Jesus. We certainly don’t want to do that!

Since we believe that the words of Jesus are our truth, His invitation to be perfect sparks our curiosity and draws us into its multi-dimensional mystery. If He said it, it must be something reasonable and attainable. At least it is, somewhere in time.

When God said, “Let there be light,” He was speaking into the darkness. Therefore, when Jesus invites us to be perfect, He is speaking into our imperfections, calling for a manifestation of our original design.

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Tetelestai Recovery

From Struggle to Serenity: Embracing Change

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Greed, lust, strife, envy, deception, and fear were familiar to us. Generosity, honesty, loyalty, wisdom, honor, and humility existed outside of our comfort zone. These traits seemed unattainable for those of us who seemed so deeply damaged.

We sometimes felt it was impossible to be comfortable in such unfamiliar territory.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

Within these words of Jesus, we found our stability. We stopped beating ourselves up for failing to accomplish what no human could. We realized our New Normal was a gift from God. We could not force it or coerce it. We would not need to use our old manipulation techniques to con Him into giving us a new life.

We found relief in knowing that it was His pleasure to make us into the people He designed us to be.

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A Date With Destiny

4/27 How to Recognize Divine Helpers in Your Life Journey

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Exodus 4:27

Meanwhile the Lord said to Aaron, “Go out into the desert to meet Moses.” When Aaron went, he met Moses at Sinai, the mountain of God, and greeted him.

You have always known that God has a special plan for your life, but the questions of what, when, how, and where, remain unanswered.

Like Moses, you have a burning desire to impact the lives of others, bringing social justice to a world filled with inequalities.

You faithfully spend your days tending to the duties of life, while watching for opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those you encounter.

When the time is right, you will experience your own ‘burning bush moment’.  It may come in the form of a dream, an event, a chance encounter, or an angelic appearance, but when it happens, you will know it.

The encounter will be powerful, surprising, and life changing.

When your burning bush moment comes, you may feel insufficiently equipped for the task God is asking of you. Don’t worry. Moses had the same response.

Thankfully, God in His divine wisdom and mercy, had already picked out a helper for him. Moses’ brother Aaron was called by God to bolster his confidence and help him succeed at the mission for which he’d been called. 

In the same manner, you too will be aided by others whom God has called to assist you in your call.

Keep watching for these helpers as you continue your journey. They may cross your path at the least expected moment, bringing clarity and confidence to your mission.

Your call is genuine, unique, and totally out of the ordinary.

God’s plan for you is exciting, terrifying, and truly satisfying.

Your life on this planet is destined to make a significant impact on the lives of many who don’t even know you.

Your burning bush moment is sure to change the trajectory of your life and give you a divine sense of purpose.

Wait for it.  Be prepared to do whatever God asks of you, even if you feel inadequate, intimidated, or unprepared.

God will empower you to pursue His call and He will give you the helpers you need to make it a stunning success.

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A Date With Destiny

4/26 From Darkness to Light: A Seed’s Journey

lastwordrecovery
Small fern with glowing blue and yellow roots in dark forest soil

Mark 4:26

Then Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is like a man who plants seed in the ground.”

From this birthday verse, you are reminded that all seeds are planted, anchored, and supported in dark, rich, soil which is filled with nutrients and hydration. Lush green leaves, hearty vegetables, fragrant blooms, and delicious fruits are sustained by a crucial process which occurs just below the surface, out of view. What looks like ordinary dirt, becomes a food and flower factory, once the tiny seeds split open and take root.

Functioning in the image of your Creator, you spend your time planting seeds of hope and promise into the world around you.

Many of the seeds you sow are done in secret and remain hidden. You are not boastful or arrogant about your charitable contributions or personal sacrifices. You attend to the needs of your family and community without recognition or fanfare.

Sometimes you may feel as if your efforts are unappreciated or even unwanted.  There are times you are tempted to believe that you are wasting time and energy because you can’t see the fruits of your labor.

Thankfully, you have the Word of God and His wonderful creation to remind you that a seed hidden in the darkness is a harvest waiting to happen.

As trees mature and produce seeds, their tiny promises of life are dropped into the surrounding soil where they remain unseen during the germination phase. In the dark, a seed breaks open and new life is begun. There is a waiting time before the shoot appears. There is another waiting time before the harvest comes.

In the same way, your good works and loving efforts may often be hidden in the dark for a time, but this doesn’t mean they will remain unfruitful.

When the time is right, God will bring your results into the light, much like the tiny plant which emerges from the dark soil. Your random acts of kindness and quiet loving gestures will not remain hidden in the darkness. The results will become visible, and each tiny sprout will deliver the promise of a bountiful harvest.

You may not always receive human recognition or praise for the contributions you make. Sometimes your good intentions may even be misunderstood. God knows what is in your heart and He promises that someday you will enjoy a beautiful harvest which far exceeds your expectations.

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