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I’ve come to a realization—one that’s both painful and oddly satisfying at the same time. Pastor Jerry has said it before, and I hate to admit it, but he’s right. My books won’t work at The Rock church. It’s not that my writing isn’t good or that my message isn’t valuable. It’s simply because I’m not a church-selling author. My style, my approach—well, it’s a bit more grassroots, maybe even a little gritty. I do bookstores, coffeehouses, book signings—places where people come to browse, sip a latte, and have a chat. It’s personal, interactive, and, let’s face it, a little...

When I first met Pastor Donald over the phone, he struck me as an immediately likable guy. You know the type—laughs at all your jokes, takes a genuine interest in your life, and actually listens when you're describing yourself. A real How to Win Friends and Influence People kind of guy. It didn’t feel like a conversation you typically have with someone you’re meeting for the first time—there was warmth, a certain connection. But, of course, when it was all said and done, he insisted on prayer. Now, it’s not that I’m against prayer. Quite the opposite. But it’s just...

The soul is a fascinating concept. It’s not a muscle you can flex or grow in the gym of life. It’s a purity that can be tainted, a core essence that is both divine and vulnerable. How much you allow it to be shaped, purified, or tainted depends on what you endure and choose. The Bible provides a deep well of wisdom about the soul, particularly in the King James Version (KJV), where it often describes the soul as something precious, eternal, and easily influenced by good and evil. Let’s explore what the KJV says about the nature of the...

Ok, my dear friend. Let me get right to it: tough love is killing me, and it’s killing many others too. How many? I don’t know. No one does. There are no official reports from Synanon, AA, or Al-Anon. We only know one thing—within the 12-step community, weddings and funerals are tragically common. How can this be? You want to believe that tough love could have saved your brother’s life, don’t you? It angers you, doesn’t it? You’re not alone in that anger. But I’ve been around the block—30 years in outpatient programs, 10 years sponsoring men in the 12-step...

I was weak last night, and the paramedics had to come. Thankfully, I’m okay, just still feeling a bit fatigued. I managed to eat a couple of meals, and that helped a little. Tomorrow, I get my food stamps, which will lift some of the weight off my shoulders. Your pastor, Donald, has been helping me find shelter, and I’m so grateful for that. It’s been a tough journey, but I'm seeing a light ahead. I couldn’t help but think about your sermon on contracts—how money can bring out the worst in us. I signed one too, and you were...