While many know my story about deliverance from the drug lifestyle,  I don’t think I have ever slowed down and taught (in depth) about what I learned and the process of how to be free.  I am reminded regularly of how epidemic the problem of substance abuse is. I have met SO MANY who struggle in that area.   So, over the next few weeks we’re going to set the subject on the table.

The preparation has been a fascinating journey for me. I walked through a lot of memories and asked myself a lot of questions.  But, most importantly, I am dedicated to trying my best to make sure we focus on God’s Word and let the answers rise out of studying it.  It was interesting to try to walk the balance between being autobiographical and purely biblical.   So, I looked back to find some of the most meaningful things from the Bible I learned through the time of walking away  from drugs.  I also have tried to develop a pattern of “owning” books on Sunday’s – so people can achieve some kind of understanding of individual books.  Putting those ideas together,  I decided to link it all to a look at the book of Ecclesiastes.  Read it.  It’s a trip (to use drug phraseology).  That book actually helped me tremendously in the early days of my walk and was fundamental to giving me a sense of truly never wanting to go back to the old way of doing things again.  For a time the old life looked appealing – now it doesn’t at all.  I would love to see God instill in all of us that His ways are not just right – but BEST, on every level.  I think Ecclesiastes, in all its weirdness, will do that.  So, even if drugs haven’t been your struggle, I’ll bet you’ll have a good time looking into one of the Bible’s most unusual books.

See you this Sunday.