The Addiction Connection Podcast

God's Word says: "Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." - Joshua 21:45 ESV [1] as opposed man's promises. Dr. Shaw picks apart 3 of the empty promises of the self help secular addictions world that won't be kept. The lies and empty promises found in Step 1: "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable." [2] (ADMISSION) vs Proverbs 28:13 which says, "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." Is ignoring eternity okay? Is admission a form of concealing your transgressions? At what point was your life ever manageable? 7:47 Empty promises in Step 2: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." [2] Is the person's problem drinking a problem of insanity or a problem of sin? What does the prevailing thought of the psychological world (of diseases and disorders) teach about insanity?  13:03 Lies/Empty promises from Step 12: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." [2] Who gets the glory for the results? 15:05 Does pleasing God contend with the goal of achieving sobriety? Luke 9:59-60 "To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62 "Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 17:26 Why is sobriety as your primary goal an empty promise? More training, addiction resources, and programs are found at TheAddictionConnection.org    For training to become a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection go here. www.theaddictionconnection.org/commissioning/     Contact TAC Addictions Biblical Counselors who can help here. https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/    Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. [2] AA (R) Twelve Steps (R) and Alcoholics Anonymous (R) are trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.  Alcoholics Anonymous ® The Third edition of the Big Book, the Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc, New York, 1976. The Twelve Steps(R) of AA are found at https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps accessed January 4, 2022.

Dr. Shaw discusses the article How Dry January Can Be a Gateway to Addiction Recovery [1] in light of biblical truth. 2 Peter 1:3-4 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." ESV [2]  Positives: People getting out of their negative habits by abstaining from alcohol for a month and evaluating themselves for health and wellness. Warnings: When you fast, (and abstaining from alcohol can be considered a form of fast) be sure you pray. Fill that time with prayer, with service to the Lord to draw you closer to HIM during the time that you are trying to make "no provision for the flesh." Romans 13:14 What does WebMD says are the benefits of Dry January?    Find more Addictions Biblical Counselors who can help here. https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/    Find training to become a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection here.    Find addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/     [1] WebMD Connect to Care, How Dry January Can be a Gateway to Addiction Recovery, Jacqueline Hensler, August 11, 2021, found at  https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/alcohol/how-dry-january-can-be-a-gateway-to-addiction-recovery accessed January 4, 2022 [2] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Open your Bible and follow along with Dr. Mark E. Shaw as he teaches about some of the last moments of Jesus on the cross-- the Biblical references that inspired The Addiction Connection's three cross logo. Kudos to Jude Gavin, creator of the logo and scheme. He is the son of Dan Gavin, who leads Addictions Victorious, in New Jersey. Three people were crucified that day that Jesus died. Matthew 27:38-44  "And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way." - Matthew 27:44, ESV [1] Mark 15:27-32 John 19:18 Luke 23:32-43 "But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.'” - Luke 23:40-41 1) Jesus, the One True God who is the Highest Power, is central to the message of "The hope of the Gospel for the heart of addiction." 2) Some will fear God, realize their guilt, and turn to Jesus in faith to receive the gift of salvation by grace. 3) Some will rail at the message of the Gospel, demanding God to serve them and fix their problems. [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Dr. Mark E. Shaw, President and Founder of The Addiction Connection calls Christians everywhere (not just pastors) to step up and step into the lives of those struggling with addictions to offer Gospel Hope. Fentanyl is killing more people (30% increase in drug overdose deaths shows the current methods of rehab are not working). Fentanyl is being sold on the street as fake pills and the buyer is unaware and being tricked leading to death. Find out the facts at DEA.gov/onepill  Psalm 107:17-22 "Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" [1]  Ready to use digital curriculum to reach those struggling with addiction is found at TheAddictionConnection.org/curriculum Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors can be found at TheAddictionConnection.org/people Residential programs that offer genuinely biblical hope and help can be found at TheAddictionConnection.org/residential-programs [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Pastor Steve Short joins Dr. Mark E. Shaw again for Part 2 of their conversation, "Designer Crucibles." from James 1.

Pastor Steve Short, from Greensville, Ohio, can be reached at beamsvillechurch.com He faithfully served one church for 34 years, has retired as Senior Pastor, and is now teaching and counseling there. Proverbs 9:9-10 says, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." [1] 4:40 What are some of the hindrances of senior pastors who want to do more biblical counseling ministry in their local churches? Galatians 6:1 says "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." 8:15 Some of Pastor Short's life story and spiritual journey 14:10 Going through the "crucible" moments "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:8 [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Dr. Mark Shaw interviews Josh Brunk, Executive Director of Village Mercy Ministries, which is a residential men's program located in South Africa. Village Mercy (https://villagemercy.co.za/) is listed on The Addiction Connection as a resource for those looking for biblical residential addictions programs. About Village Mercy “Helping People Enslaved To Addictions Find Freedom Through Jesus Christ” Village Mercy is a not-for-profit, intensive Biblical-Counselling based discipleship residential program for men that uses a Bible-centered approach to counsel people who are trapped in addictions to find freedom through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Located in a South Africa, where “this problem (of addictions) has been identified by the National Drug Master Plan, as a fuel for crime, poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability, the escalation of chronic diseases, such as AIDS and TB, injury and premature death,” Village Mercy stands as a beacon of hope for liberation to all men caught in the grip of this cruel tyrant and their families. How to Get Involved: PRAY Prayer is central to the ministries of Village Mercy because the challenges we deal with are fundamentally spiritual in nature. Please pray for us. Pray for godliness, wisdom, care, patience, love, faithfulness, endurance, positive attitudes and joy amongst the leadership. Pray that those who are ministering may continue being conformed into the image of their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Please pray that we may aim for faithfulness to God’s call rather than success. Pray that those who come to Village Mercy for help might come to a saving knowledge of God through our interaction with them. Pray for more healthy biblical churches throughout South Africa that the men who graduate can go back to. And pray for God’s leading in this ministry. GIVE Donate to The Addiction Connection and leave a comment or memo designated to "South Africa".  Another way you can help us is by Donating Supplies, Providing Groceries & Giving Financially for the various needs of the house. Sign up for our newsletter and contact us for ways to get involved in our ministry and to find out more details about how to support us. HIRE US Hire the residents of VMM to do paid manual/physical labour for you. Part of what we emphasize in the program is the necessity to work, the guys in the program are involved in a lot of supervised manual labour (yard work, cleaning, mowing, cleaning pools and providing man power for a lot of handiwork jobs) during the week to help pay for the expenses of the program and equip themselves in return with job skills. REFERRALS Mention Village Mercy to those who may be struggling with addictions, or those who may be in need of training in the area of this ministry. If you think of other ways to lend a hand, please contact us. Thank You.

Dr. Mark Shaw interviews Dr. Bill Hines about his life and ministry.  How has Proverbs 30:5-6 impacted Bill Hines? "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar." [1]  Who impacted Bill's life in a large way as a child/teen? How did he meet his wife? How can you start leaving a legacy even with a 9-year-old? Memories of ministry in South Africa and Village Mercy pre-launch serving trip. Bill's role at IABC. The National Annual IABC Conference--with guest speaker Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Save the date July 28-30, 2022. Find out more at IABC.net  Bill Hines, D.Min., is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves as Vice-President of IABC (International Association of Biblical Counselors). Dr. Hines is an ordained minister, author, and the President of Covenant Ministries, Inc., a biblical counseling and education ministry in Ft. Worth, Texas, and holds ACBC, IABC, and CABC. Find more commissioned addiction biblical counselors (CABC) residential programs that TAC recommends at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ You can purchase Leaving Yesterday Behind at https://www.amazon.com/William-L-Hines/e/B0034PBRC8/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Bill Hines, D.Min., is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves as Vice-President of IABC (International Association of Biblical Counselors). Dr. Hines is an ordained minister, author, and the President of Covenant Ministries, Inc., a biblical counseling and education ministry in Ft. Worth, Texas, and holds ACBC, IABC, and CABC. Find more commissioned addiction biblical counselors (CABC) residential programs that TAC recommends at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ 1 John 3:1-3 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." [1]  What does God's mercy, the new identity God gives when He redeems, and the fullness of life He offers have to do with anger, depression, self-pity, and the issues of this life? What is success? How should we rightly view the wicked?  Find out what Bill's "man-sized book" is all about. You can purchase Leaving Yesterday Behind at https://www.amazon.com/William-L-Hines/e/B0034PBRC8/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Connecting the Hope of the Gospel With the Heart of Addiction: theaddictionconnection.org 2021 article [1] analyzes these 2014 American statistics. Benzodiazepines; "z-drugs" (or sleep aids); anti-depressants; psycho-stimulants; and anti-psychotics are some of the drugs addressed in this analysis of the dangers of overdoses and death as compared to heroin. Death rates from overdoses rapidly increased as prescriptions for these drugs increased. What horrible side effect is a result of some anti-psychotics? What is the origin of suffering and corruption in our world? What is the latest on Fentanyl-related deaths and counterfeit pills? 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 says, "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life..." ESV [2] "12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." ... Are you reaching out to the people in your area who are struggling with addictive lifestyles? You can use this discipleship care group study called Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED in your local church or ministry theaddictionconnection.org/next-steps-be-transformed-addiction-discipleship-program/ [1] Kenneth Anderson, "Psychiatric Medications Kill More Americans than Heroin," American Addiction Centers, June 24, 2021. Accessed October 31, 2021, found at rehabs.com/pro-talk/psychiatric-medications-kill-more-americans-than-heroin/ [2] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Connecting The Hope of the Gospel With The Heart of Addiction: theaddictionconnection.org John 6 is the chapter focus of this teaching on the Word of God's sufficiency in counseling and the Holy Spirit's work in the hearts of people. Topics covered include: What are these hard things Jesus is teaching in John chapter 6? What does Jesus mean by "the flesh is no help at all" in verse 63? Who the two types of people you will counsel? What makes a faithful counselor and who gets all the glory for the impact and results? What about the current trend of a quest for more and more "knowledge" and what does the word sufficient really mean? Why does The Addiction Connection exist--what is the message we promote? Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Free Preview & full 66-lesson package, NEXT STEPS: Be TRANSFORMED: https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/courses/next-steps-betransformed Dr. Mark E. Shaw demonstrates how to use this NEXT STEPS: Be TRANSFORMED curriculum for your ministry and for your church. -play starting fall 2021! He explains the acronym that organizes the topics he teaches in the curriculum - Next Steps: Be T.R.A.N.S.F.O.R.M.E.D., sharing tips on how to organize your care group study, whether you use it plug-and-play, or focus key elements. With over a decade in the making, this 100% digital-access curriculum has everything you need to start ministering to addicts in a small-group setting right where you are, right now. Give the same hope & help you've received to those within your reach! What's Included in Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED: Leader's Guide - Video & Manual (.pdf download) 2 curriculum guide choices 66 pre-recorded video lessons online (over 15 months of teaching for long-term relationship building) Downloadable student handouts for every single lesson Bonus: Testimonies to share with your group as openers or closers! Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." ESV [1] [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Free booklet with any Mark Shaw book purchase available at FocusPublishing.com here  Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart Dr. Mark E. Shaw teaches on Temptation from James 1. Addiction counseling is about a sinful heart desire, not a disease that overtakes a person. "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12) "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:13-14) Each person's desires are different according to their preferences. Is alcohol the problem? No, the Word tells us it's our own heart desire. "Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:15-18) AW Tozer Quote: "The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart...." (AW Tozer's The Root of Righteousness, p.63) 11:05 About the sad last day of John Belushi's life. There is hope in Christ Jesus and nothing else. Death is closer than when we think. Find more training through The Addiction Connection's wide selection of video and audio courses here: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-counselor-training/ "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16-17) Dr. Mark E. Shaw is the Founder of The Addiction Connection and serves his local church as the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence Kentucky. Join us there for The Addiction Connection's 2021 Leadership Summit. [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Final pre-conference conversation for the Grace Fellowship Church Counseling and Discipleship Training 2021. Find out about this year's conference at graceky.org/CDT September 16-18, 2021. Click here for the video about why we love biblical counseling in the local church from Grace Fellowship Church https://www.graceky.org/cdt/ Human frailty and our present and future hope! A sneak preview of "A Biblical Approach to Mental Illness"  2:22 Dependence on Christ because I am weak and I need a Savior. Jesus went through the frailty of being human but not the depravity. Looking for an answer to their sorrow (Berger) 5:30 Living in the power of Christ right now if we are regenerate- a new creation in Christ - it's not my power (Ham) 7:45 Delusion is the secular word; madness is the biblical word. What is the difference? What is the living scientific evidence that the power of God changes people? (Berger) 10:20 Isaiah 44 and the foolishness of idolatry and the god of self (Shaw) 12:20 Understanding our fragile nature (physically) and the lusts of the flesh and our desperate need for a Savior (Berger) 16:48 Understanding our sure death is coming, billions of dollars being spent trying to deliver man – using science alone – from death, biological reductionism, but they know that death is something they cannot overcome (Shaw, Berger) 19:10 Our sin must be dealt with in order to deal with our weakness- using Christ as a false strength that is not promised by God (Ham) 20:05 Opposing the victimhood error as well (Berger, Shaw) 22:08 Giving God glory as opposed to overcoming addiction in the flesh as secularists are able to do. Giving God "weight" as Jay Younts teaches (Berger)  Find Jay Younts' teaching on YouTube, "Every Day Thoughts" and everydaytalk247.com.  25:14 Emphasizing the brokenness of this world (Shaw)  26:07 What else should we emphasize as Biblical counselors? 27:35 A Biblical look at sorrow, hopelessness, and guilt (Berger) 29:30 God can use these evil horrific circumstances in a redemptive way -- not that it is a good thing, but that the head of Satan is crushed (Shaw and Ham) 31:09 Maturity and understanding suffering (Shaw) 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (ESV) [1] Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church, with Dr. Daniel Berger and Pastor Steve Ham. This series begins laying the groundwork for the advanced track of the conference. Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY; Founder of The Addiction Connection.  Dr. Daniel Berger, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Clarence, NY; Founder and director of Alethia International Ministries (AIM); and serves as Director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center. Pastor Steve Ham is the Pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Grace Fellowship Church Counseling and Discipleship Training 2021 pre-conference conversations. Find more here: www.graceky.org/CDT "A Biblical Approach to Mental Illness" – This series lays the groundwork for the advanced track of the conference. Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY; Founder of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Daniel Berger, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Clarence, NY; Founder and Director of Alethia International Ministries (AIM); and serves as Director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center. Pastor Steve Ham is the Pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. This conversation focuses on laying the groundwork for the topic of the advanced track of the Counseling and Discipleship Training at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence, KY. This bonus material is available in video format when you register for the CDT conference. You can find out more at graceky.org/CDT and register to attend in person (or even register for the online option.) "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) ESV [1] 2:50 Has the idea of biblical human weakness been neglected somewhat in biblical counseling? (Berger) 4:19 Do "good people" become insane with the first use of a substance? And how did the second step attempt to further this construct? (Shaw) 6:13 What is the proper biblical lens for asking the question "what is normal?" (Berger) 7:20 What is the meaning of the word 'weakness' in the Greek New Testament? (Berger) 8:00 Ecclesiastes 9:3 "This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead." (ESV) [1] 8:19 A description of everything that is in a Genesis 3 world, and the fragility of humanity. (Ham) 10:00 "We underestimate the absolute devastation that it is morally, spiritually, in our lives under the sun without Christ." (Ham) 10:28 Ecclesiastes 9:4 "But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (ESV) [1] 11:30 What is our normal and what is our restored ultimate reality? (Berger) 12:10 "None of us like to stop throughout the day and say, I'm headed to death... Humanism teaches us to think we are strong. They are teaching little girls to have that mentality, "I'm a strong woman, I'm a strong girl." And then when life exposes that's not true they start thinking they're disordered." (Berger) 14:10 What are the Biblical counseling applications for the reality of fragility? (Shaw+ Berger) 16:45 Restore me to sanity or ...? (Is this insanity or is it depravity...) (Berger and Shaw) 17:10 The mind of Christ and taking thoughts captive as it applies to this truth for all sin and for all those who struggle with addiction 18:30 The spiritual reality of the only strength we can have... (Ham) 20:31 In repentance and rest there is strength... (Berger) [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Grace Fellowship Church Counseling and Discipleship Training Sept 16-18, 2021 pre-conference conversations. Find out more: graceky.org/CDT Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church, discusses "A Biblical Approach to Mental Illness" with Dr. Daniel Berger and Pastor Steve Ham. This series begins laying the groundwork for the advanced track of the conference. Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY; Founder of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Daniel Berger, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Clarence, NY; Founder and director of Alethia International Ministries (AIM); and serves as Director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center. Pastor Steve Ham is the Pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2:25 Double-mindedness in the Christians who find what the church offers to be lacking and so they search elsewhere for answers (Berger) 5:15 The essential aspect of Data gathering and Reorientation of worldview in biblical counseling (Ham) 7:00 Connection between worldview and racism, and Darwinian teaching (Ham) 10:30 Racist, racism, and the belief in races instead of the human race implies a hierarchy (Berger) 12:10 Psychiatry is founded upon finding differences; creating healthy and unhealthy within their own worldview (Berger) 13:20 Benjamin Rush and the eugenic theory of darker skin color being a result of leprosy 14:45 Eugenics vs. genetics (Berger and Ham) 18:00 What is Pastor Ham's encouragement to pastors and biblical counselors regarding interacting with those with a lot of education who hold different world views? 20:10 What is Dr. Daniel Berger's encouragement to all Christians? 20:45 Why the Gospel must be front and center in all discussions of worldview (Ham)

Part 1 of the series of pre-conference conversations for the 2021 Grace Fellowship Church Counseling and Discipleship Training. These conversations lay the groundwork for the Advanced Track of the conference. Dr. Shaw discusses "A Biblical Approach to Mental Illness" with Dr. Daniel Berger and Pastor Steve Ham. Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Director of Counseling, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY; Founder of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Daniel Berger, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Clarence, NY; Founder and Director of Alethia International Ministries (AIM); and serves as Director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center. Steve Ham is pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio. 3:05 Why is biblical creation vital to believe and why should biblical counselors be skilled in communicating it to counselees? 6:32 How does the devil attack and try to undermine anthropology, ontology, epistemology all in Genesis 3? 10:25 Psalm 73 and what biblical counselors must stand upon 12:29 A preview of the importance of worldview and phenomenology in layman's terms (Dr. Berger) 15:55 Sufficiency of Scripture in counseling (Pastor Ham) 23:15 What does science say? (Pastor Ham) 23:45 Biological causes and behavioral choices - how can we tell the difference? (Dr. Berger) 27:10 Defining terms - science, evidence, reality, repeatable, observable and provable (Pastor Ham) 30:40 Moving counselees from a different worldview and belief system toward a biblical worldview (Pastor Ham) 33:40 The hopelessness of the message sent to hurting people that they are only a product of your own chemicals

This is part 2 of a conversation about phenomenology and the history of the Mental Health field between Dr. Daniel Berger and Dr. Mark E. Shaw. Find out more about Dr. Daniel Berger at www.drdanielberger.com Find out more about GFC's Counseling and Discipleship Training: graceky.org/CDT Dr. Berger is Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in Clarence, NY, and Founder of Alethia International Ministries (AIM) 2:56 Satan's first denial of the truth of God's Word came in Genesis 3 6:52 Dr. Berger shares about his father's influence in his life, and his search for answers about psychological concepts and diagnoses 9:17 What is "DFD" according to Dr. Mark E. Shaw? 12:45 How is identity a key to both psychologists and biblical counselors? 15:35 Promoting the Word of God in the local church ministry of biblical counseling 16:55 Saving Abnormal, Dr. Daniel Berger's book that explains Kraepelinianism 21:40 Dr. Shaw's team sports vs individual sports comparison and hypothesis and applications to the Body of Christ

Phenomenology and History of the Mental Health Field - A conversation between Dr. Daniel Berger and Dr. Mark E. Shaw. Find out more about Dr. Daniel Berger at drdanielberger.com  Find out more about GFC's Counseling and Discipleship Training Sept 16-18, 2021 graceky.org/CDT Dr. Berger is Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in Clarence, NY, and Founder of Alethia International Ministries (AIM) 3:50 Epistemology defined by Dr. Berger 5:45 Phenomenology defined by Dr. Berger 7:30 Biblical phenomenologists 8:02 History of the mental health field 21:10 Historical truth about Dr. Asperger and Dr. Alzheimer 25:50 Dr. Berger's book Saving Abnormal covers Kraepelin, eugenics, and how America was involved

Romans 3:23 says,  "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (ESV) [1] How do most addiction counselors explain addiction and "insanity"? Do "good people" become insane? 3:13 Mark quotes Step 1 and Step 2 from The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous [2] and the goal of restoration to sanity. 4:32 Recovery world's goal is restoration to sanity because they have accepted the message of "insanity." 6:20 Colloquial definition of insanity 6:40 Definition of insanity [3] 7:55 Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith changed the original supposed Christian roots of the Twelve Step Program 10:20 "came to believe..." from Step 2 [2] 11:13 Dr. Shaw quotes from the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,[4]   14:30  Is the problem insanity or is the problem sin? Is the solution any power greater than ourselves? 16:15 What is the remedy? 17:13 Ecclesiastes 9:3 "This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead." (ESV) [1] 18:40 What does the Holy Spirit accomplish in believers in Christ Jesus? 19:40 Why do words matter? Restoring to sanity or reconciling to God? Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the Founder of The Addiction Connection, and leads a network of Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors with TAC. Find addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. [2] From the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which can be found at https://www.alcohol.org/alcoholics-anonymous/ [3] Google's English Dictionary provided by Oxford Languages. Definition found at https://www.google.com/search?q=insane&oq=insane&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i433j46j0i433j0i131i433j46i433j0i433l2j0i131i433j0i433.1288j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 [4] Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Thirty-eighth printing, June 1988, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services: New York, NY. Alcoholics Anonymous (R) is a registered trademark of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." [1] How to discern someone's readiness and willingness to participate in addiction ministry? Dr. Mark E. Shaw and CJ McMurry discuss Psalm 51:17 in its own biblical context, and also apply these truths to wisely assessing someone's readiness to enter addiction programming -- whether that is residential or non-residential. Mark is the President and Founder of The Addiction Connection, and also serves as the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence,  KY. Guest CJ McMurry is the Program Director at one of TAC's listed residential programs called The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa. He is also a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. Learn more about The Refuge. Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ How can program leaders assess someone's readiness (godly vs. worldly sorrow) How did CJ see this in his own heart when he was looking for help for his own addictive struggles? Right motivations vs. wrong motivations for seeking help. Primary vs. Secondary reasons to seek help. In what ways are people sometimes blinded to their own reasons that are motivating them? Why are the people of the local Body of Christ vital in our growth as a Christian? What is the importance of residential programs emphasizing that they are only meant to be temporary places of protection? What makes Mark Shaw recommend The Refuge in Winteset, Iowa, as a program for residential help for addiction? How can we be realistic in how we observe behavior and continue to serve those who are caught in addiction? Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands is a book by Paul David Tripp that CJ mentions as he explains how to be faithful in ministering to those with sin struggles. Mark closes with John 9:35-41, which says, "Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains." (ESV) [1] [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Founder and President of The Addiction Connection, talks about a recent CDC article releasing overdose death statistics during Covid-19. What is true biblical hope and how does that contrast with the world's false ideas about God? Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (ESV) [1]  How does this affect our tendency to be anxious when news of dire circumstances comes our way in life? What does abounding hope look like? What did the CDC report [2] about overdose deaths in the twelve months ending in May 2020? Read the full CDC report that Dr. Shaw talks about on the podcast here. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p1218-overdose-deaths-covid-19.html What drugs are people using in these overdoses? What is The Addiction Connection doing to help people during this crisis of drug overdoses? Find non-residential programming here. https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/ Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ Find Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/ How can you be a part of the eternal solution? [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Overdose Deaths Accelerating During COVID-19." Page last reviewed December 18, 2020. US Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed June 22, 2021 at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p1218-overdose-deaths-covid-19.html

The Addiction Connection's Founder, Dr. Mark E. Shaw, and Freedom Farm Ministries' Executive Director, Jim Quigley, preview and discuss the upcoming TAC Summit 2021. In addition to serving at Freedom Farm, Jim is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on TAC's Board. Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ Beginning Thursday Evening, Nov 4, 2021, The Addiction Connection Summit is the place to connect with like-minded Addictions Biblical Counselors. The Summit will continue through that Friday (11/5/2021) and Saturday (11/6/2021). Find out more info at: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/summit2021/  Having "enthusiasm" in addiction ministry will be a theme for the time together at the Summit. Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (ESV) [1]  What was Jim's first Summit experience like? How are ministries in TAC's network highlighted at the Summit? What are the small group rooms like at the Summit? How many states in the US are represented at the Summit? What is the correlations between losing enthusiasm for addiction ministry and losing our focus on God? Who will be speaking and attending TAC Summit? [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

The Addiction Connection's Founder, Dr. Mark E. Shaw, and Freedom Farm Ministries' Executive Director, Jim Quigley, continue their in-studio discussion of terminology and stigma based upon the Drug Education Council, Inc.'s list of suggestions. In addition to serving at Freedom Farm, Jim is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on TAC's Board. Mark and Jim talk about the phrase, "resistant to treatment," which is said to have negative connotations. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 "And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (ESV) [1] Jim speaks frankly about those who come to him wanting to leave the addictions program earlier than they originally committed to. They also discuss the common observation of someone who cannot see their own sin and self-deception, which the world would call denial. The presuppositions of the Drug Education Council's worldview must be discerned in order to understand the deceptions of these messages even as subtle as, "You can self-correct. You just need our help to self-correct." Find more addiction residential programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Jim Quigley continue the discussion on Drug Education terminology and the world's efforts to decrease stigmatizing those who struggle with addiction. Jim serves at Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, North Carolina, and is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection while also serving on TAC's board. Find other CABC's and addiction ministries with a genuinely biblical approach on TAC's website at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/  Proverbs 26:24-26 says, "Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; 25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; 26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly." [1] Awareness of sin in the Christian walk Are we much more sinful than we realize? Peter as a biblical reminder for us to be aware of our sin and our need for Christ.  Are Christians self-loathing people? What does manipulative really mean? [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Human Wisdom vs. Spirit Wisdom – 1 Corinthians 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [1] Mark talks with Jim Quigley in-studio about common phrases in the addiction world, and the world's attempts to counter what they see as "stigma." Jim leads Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, NC as a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection, serving on TAC's board. Jim begins the discussion by teaching a biblical opposition to the world's view that biology is causative in their addiction. This world believes that each person is a "good person" who wants to self-correct if given the opportunity. But the Gospel says otherwise. Read TAC's blogpost for more on what Jesus has to say about addiction and alcoholism. It has been estimated that over 80,000 people have died from overdoses since 2020. The victim mentality is being taught in over 90% of the programs in the world. Jim warns all listeners who are genuinely biblical in their approach to addiction to beware not to mischaracterize those who are trying to help in the secular system as not being compassionate or genuine in their desire to help people. Our message is different because we point people to the transformational heart change done by Jesus Christ working by the power of the Holy Spirit. Read the best debunking of the 12-step treatment industry done by a secularist: Dr. Lance Dodes on an NPR interview [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God." (Revelation 19:11-13) [1] How has the Pandemic affected the census at Freedom Farm and other Residential Addiction Programs? Today, Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Jim Quigley discuss current events. Jim is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on the Board of TAC. Why has the number of admissions gone down significantly for residential programs lately? Is it because people have been sobering and exhibiting less addictive behaviors? You'll hear an anecdote about a trend Jim is currently seeing in choices made by addicts. He also discusses the unintended consequences of giving people access to quick money in the form of government support. Jim referee to 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. [1]  [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

"9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21) Taking off the mask – and I’m not talking about cloth or surgical masks during the start of the pandemic in 2020. The addicted person often wears a “mask”. How do we reach people with compassion and love when they wear a “mask”? We reach them with God's word, dispelling lies and deceit in the Gospel, giving them the freedom to live in the light. “Be dead to flattery, and dead to flattening.” Pride is simply thinking too much of oneself. And it goes both ways - thinking too highly of oneself, or thinking too lowly of oneself. Taking the mask off means living life genuinely, not hiding behind the problems and struggles and sin. You can be REAL when you realize the REAL Gospel.

How do we combat anxiety in our own lives and fruitfully instruct a counselee? What does God's Word have to say? Find addiction resources through The Addiction Connection at www.theaddictionconnection.org

In this podcast, Dr. Shaw talks about 2 upcoming events (Bothel, WA event has since been canceled). Florence, KY - 5th Annual TAC Leadership Summit Nov. 4-6, 2021 Grace Fellowship Church www.theaddictionconnection.org/summit2021 We hope to see you there! [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Three guests join Dr. Mark E. Shaw in the studio for this special podcast. Oliver Underwood, Kirby Johnson, and Bethany Roseberry are all CABC (Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors) with The Addiction Connection, which means that they utilize a genuinely biblical approach to addiction and are committed to offering The Hope of the Gospel for the Heart of Addiction. To find other CABC's in your area visit our map at www.theaddictionconnection.org/people 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (ESV) [1] Mark poses the question to the podcast guests: "How does your identity impact your daily life?" 1:20 Kirby opens the discussion 2:18 Oliver gives his input 3:25 Bethany adds her answer. What about social media and the fueling of discontentment? And how can we check our thinking? 7:00 What about the person who says, "I'm an alcoholic." 12:45 Oliver reads 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (ESV) 14:10 Kirby comments on using a world label identity as a "crutch." 15:30 What does it mean to be at rest as a Christian? Mark discusses Exodus 34:6-7 and what mercy is like. Bethany - How the community of the body of Christ compares with the community or unity that alcoholics believe they have. Kirby - One of the best ways to glorify God. Mark - From vessels of wrath to vessels useful for God's Kingdom Oliver - How self-exaltation can manifest as an alcoholic identity or as one becomes puffed up by his or her days of sobriety. [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:11-15 ESV) [1] Dr. Shaw announces the launch of the newest addictions biblical counseling specialization training. Now available! ACBC: www.biblicalcounseling.com www.theAddictionConnection.org/acbc is the website for accessing info on the training for the ACBC addictions specialization. Supported by Grace Counseling Center, which is an ACBC certified training center. The Addiction Connection is the producer and host of the content.  The Addiction Connection is committed to equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and the launch of this new addictions counseling specialization training is one more resource to help the church offer help and hope to those struggling with addictions of sin.  Begin The Addiction Connection's relational commissioning process for anyone: www.TheAddictionConnection.org/Commissioning [1] “Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

“Following the Science” and some newsworthy international updates from The Addiction Connection with Dr. Mark E. Shaw. But first, recommended reading! The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s article was written by ACBC counselor and family practice physician, Dr. Charles Hodges, on April 2, 2021, “The Importance of Science in Biblical Counseling.” Quoting Dr. Hodges’ article, Mark explains the harms of drinking alcohol and using marijuana. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18 ESV) [1] The Biblical Counseling Coalition promotes biblical counseling around the world. “The BCC exists to strengthen churches, para-church organizations, and educational institutions by promoting excellence and unity in biblical counseling as a means to accomplish compassionate outreach and effective discipleship.” Dr. Shaw goes into detail about how The Addiction Connection continues to make an international impact in recent weeks. SMTI - Strengthening Ministries Training Institute is a ministry in South Africa being led by Sybrand DeSwardt. Dr. Mark Shaw shares what that experience was like. He also had the opportunity to teach addictions biblical counseling via online interaction to a group of nearly 50 in Brazil. Book translation work has been completed for "Paul the Counselor", as it is now being printed in Arabic. several of the Hope and Help booklets, and How Not to Raise an Addict are among the newly translated Arabic works. Dr. Shaw’s resources on addiction have been now translated into Portuguese, Romanian, Albanian, Korean, and Arabic. [1] “Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

Harm Reduction is back in the news again in West Virginia. "For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:11-13 ESV) [1] 2:15 What is the difference between human wisdom words and spirit wisdom words? 4:00 What is the goal of what communities are calling “harm reduction” and needle exchange programs? 4:30 What is going on in West Virginia with this issue? 6:10 Terminology is important: harm reduction or harm production? 7:28 What about the term kleptomania? 9:20 Where is this labelling of behavior leading our society to? 16:30 So what legislation did West Virginia decide to enact in April 2021? 19:25 Who is Dr. Mark Shaw’s audience when he brings up this issue? 20:40 What two languages does Dr. Shaw speak? [1] “Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

Proverbs 26:4 "Answer not a fool according to his folly lest you be like him yourself." [1]  "Concept Creep: Psychology's Expanding Concepts of Harm and Pathology" This article was released on Feb. 12, 2016, through the online publication Psychological Inquiry. "Concept Creep" is the secular phrase used by psychologists to describe the broadened terminology, now inclusive to more behaviors than prior. Addiction, abuse, bullying, trauma, mental disorder, prejudice, and tanning; this sort of psychology describes and categorizes behavior in a way that shifts terminology. Many view this as a good occurrence, proud to proclaim this advance. Is this missing the deeper understanding of God and mankind as revealed in the Bible? Our goal as believers is to glorify Him and live for Him.  Haslam acknowledges "the risk of pathologizing everyday experience and encouraging a sense of virtuous but impotent victimhood." [2] Dr. Shaw explains why the expansion of these terms is not positive, but tends to be misguided labeling. "If the addictive process is internal, it makes little sense to restrict the concept of addiction to dependence on substances." [Haslam, page 9] [3] Biblical counselors call these "habitual" – addictive behaviors learned in this habitual response in thoughts, words, and actions. We can help people put off bad habits, put on new godly habits – the great hope and help of biblical counseling. These psychologists use the concept of compulsion and are observing that behavioral addictions and substance addictions both involve "recurrent failure to resist urges to engage in a particular activity that is harmful to the person, generally with a subjective experience of compulsion and powerlessness." [Haslam, page 8] [4] The shifting sand of psychology and addiction will continue to expand and label any and all behavior. Biblical terms or secular psychological constructs? Terms like bipolar, ADHD, Generalized anxiety disorder, clinical depression, addiction issues or substance use disorder...  ...fear, worry, sadness, drunkenness, idolatry, idolatrous heart desires, and those things that are explicitly in the Bible. Will we embrace biblical truth to pierce the heart's motivation? [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. [2] Nick Haslam (2016) Concept Creep: Psychology's Expanding Concepts of Harm and Pathology, Psychological Inquiry, 27:1, 1-17. [3] Ibid. p.9. [4] Ibid. p.8. Read the full article online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295247201_Concept_Creep_Psychology's_Expanding_Concepts_of_Harm_and_Pathology

Today on the Addiction Connection Podcast, Dr. Mark E. Shaw dives into an excerpt of his daily devotional book, Cross-Talking: A Daily Gospel for Transforming Addicts, published by Focus Publishing, in Bemidji, MN. 2:45 What happens in a self-help meeting when you start telling the Good News of the Gospel that Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father? 3:43 An excerpt from Day 27 of the devotional called "The Lord Examines the Heart" with Hebrews 4:12-13 5:10 What are the four elements of God's Word according to 2 Timothy 3:16 and Ephesians 4:22-24? 8:15 How do you get filled with the Holy Spirit in obedience to Ephesians 5:18? 9:40 How and why do we assess our own hearts? 11:45 What is the heart level relationship with God really like? 14:10 How does God's Word help us grow more like Christ? 18:45 Dr. Shaw previews an ACBC video series.

Galatians 6:1-2 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." 9:40-18:50 - What does being in a spiritual battle really mean for a Christ-follower? "I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—  I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.  For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,  being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." (2 Cor 10:1-6) 19:00 - A call to be gentle to all who are a part of The Addiction Connection 19:30 - Noutheteo - is a confrontational loving way that can be done in gentleness, meekness, and passion all at the same time. Listen, Love, Label Lies, Lead, Launch. How is counseling different than Preaching to crowds from the pulpit? 21:30 Angry at the lies of this world vs. Anger at people. The disease model is hurting more people than it's helping. (Dr. Mark Shaw agrees with Dr. Lance Dodes) 23:30 Local church community context is way more than showing up on Sunday and going home. Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED is a small care group study that can be used (all digital video and downloadable content) to launch an addictions outreach in your ministry today. Dr. Mark E. Shaw, the Founder of The Addiction Connection, and the author of The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective, Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies, and Divine Intervention: Hope and Help for Families of Addicts. These resources are available at Focus Publishing, Bemidji, MN. www.focuspublishing.com

What are the benefits and flaws of the harm reduction exchange centers? Is the focus upon reducing harm ironically enabling the continuation of addiction? What does the gospel's compassion have to say? What did Paul tell the Corinthians about their lives and sin choices? I Corinthians 6:9-11 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (ESV) Tim Brown of His Steps Ministries and Dr. Mark E. Shaw highlight these questions and share a former addict's review of harm reduction methods. This conversation is around a recent article on Harm Reduction found in The Enquirer at Cincinnati.com  Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on the Board with TAC. Dr. Mark E. Shaw is the author of over 20 publications on biblical counseling and addiction and has a curriculum for local churches and ministries to utilize for a genuinely biblical approach to help people who are struggling with addictions of all kinds. Find out more at www.theaddictionconnection.org “Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

"It wasn't until God changed my life that I really understood what true godly sorrow was... what the apostle Paul writes about... that causes us to truly repent..." -Tim Brown Mark and Tim discuss the recent news of Bruce Springsteen's charges from a November 2020 incident in a national park, and the recent video call court date appearance in which Springsteen appeared. Asbury Park Press’ headline seems most fair: Bruce Springsteen has drunk driving charges dropped, pleads guilty to alcohol consumption. Mark Shaw wrote a summary of the news reports of the incident and how it was reported here. Romans 2:4-5  "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." 3:45 Do consequences alone lead people to repentance? The three initial charges: Driving recklessly, Driving under the influence, drinking in a national park where it had been outlawed 6:45 What were the Field sobriety test results? 9:30 What are some signs of lack of repentance? 11:40 What is true godly sorrow? 12:45 What kind of repentance? 13:10 The Fundamentals of Addiction Biblical Counseling training course on which Tim Brown teaches a workshop on godly sorrow and repentance https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/fundamentals-training/ 15:15 How is the government the authority over a Christian, and is it good? 17:09 What about harsh or unfair authority? 1 Peter 2:18 18:05 The various news reports and how they report the story... learning how to discern 21:00 What happened to the term "spirits?" 26:00 Justice and fairness 26:40 What about the Springsteen Jeep commercial which was supposed to air during the Super Bowl? Tim Brown serves on The Addiction Connection's Board and is ACBC certified. He is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC) with The Addiction Connection as well. Tim founded His Steps Ministries in Woodstock, Georgia. His Steps mission reads: "His Steps Ministries is a Christian training and counseling program that reaches out to those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We believe that substance abuse is due to an incorrect relationship with God, and hope is only offered through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." Mark and Tim had the privilege to serve together on a missions trip to Egypt a few years ago with Overseas Instruction in Counseling. OIC's mission reads - "Our mission is to support and build up the Christian church around the world through the training of biblical counseling trainers in every part of the globe, including by sharing testimonies of God’s grace."

"You find that in a local church fellowship because it's based upon the absolute Word of God which we can always trust... no one person is absolutely trustworthy..." -Dr. Shaw Proverbs 23:19-21 "Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. 20 Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, 21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags." (ESV) 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived; bad company ruins good morals." (ESV) . are communities chosen to be around? 3:30 How strong is the power of belief in determining our choices and desires? 4:40 How powerful is a community in shaping our belief system? 5:40 What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? 7:00 - 10:40 What about following your heart? 10:52 The importance of understanding community involvement, from twelve-step groups and more positive ones. The growing network of churches and counselors and programs who are truly teaching the Bible and live out what it means to be a part of the family of God: www.theaddictionconnection.org

Misty McMurry has been married to CJ for 12 years and serves as the Manager of The Cellar, a coffee house in Winterset, Iowa. CJ and Misty McMurry both serve The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa, and serve The Addiction Connection as Regional Directors. CJ Mcmurry is a  Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on TAC’s Board of Directors. He is the Program Director of The Refuge, a residential program listed on The Addiction Connection that serves men struggling with addiction. How is this Psalm impactful to Misty's life? What roles do CJ and Misty serve in their local church (Redeemer) in Winterset, Iowa? What are some insights as a married couple in an addictions residential ministry? What is the relationship between Redeemer Church, The Refuge, and The Cellar? 20:30... How are families being impacted while you serve men struggling with addictions? 27:10 What is The Cellar? What are CJ and Misty's plans for Valentine's Day? Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3     He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness     for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,     I will fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me     all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord     forever. (ESV)* Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ Dr. Mark E. Shaw is the Founder of The Addiction Connection, and author of The Heart of Addiction and Divine Intervention: Hope and Help for Families of Addicts. Dr. Shaw had this conversation with CJ and Misty beginning with Psalm 23. *Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.*

Men's Residential Addiction Programs, Freedom Farm and Renovatus, are listed on The Addiction Connection's website because they both offer the hope of the Gospel for the heart of addiction. Jim Quigley is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and serves on TAC's Board of Directors, all while leading as the Executive Director of Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, North Carolina. Pete Higgs of Renovatus launched a residential program with a CSA as an integral part of the ministry in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Jim and Pete join Dr. Mark Shaw to discuss blessings and hard work of offering residential hope and help for men struggling with addictive issues. 10:14 What is the origin of the word Renovatus and how did the ministry start? 14:55 How did Renovatus get started farming? 15:30 The journey from a goal of restoration to transformation as the goal of ministering to men. 17:10 Jim speaks to the hard work of ministering biblically to men who are struggling with addictions. The pace is slow with few resources. 19:05 Jim's introduction to nouthetic counseling model and his journey in the biblical counseling movement 21:45 What is it like on the front lines of genuinely biblical addictions ministry and how is it shepherding souls? 23:25 At Renovatus, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, the vision is "Empowering people to be free from drug and alcohol addiction and restoring them to Christ-centered living." 25:05 Pete talks about how much he learned about himself while his own two sons were with Jim at Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, North Carolina. Wondering about the farming ministry and what grows on the farm at Renovatus? The 2021 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is currently taking orders. See what they have grown at this link https://www.renovatusrc.org/csa 35 mins... How the TAC website was used by God to connect people from a local church near the Renovatus ministry to Pete and how neither of them knew of each other before. 39 mins... 45 mins Pete talks about the glorious and beautiful testimony of a particular man who has been redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ from alcohol and has had a lot of relationships "renovated" and restored. 47 mins... Connecting the fellow workers in biblical addictions ministry to one another, Connecting the hope of the Gospel to the heart of addiction, Connecting addiction counseling to the local church, Connecting resources to those who need them... Connecting people who need residential and non-residential programs to those who offer them. Galatians 6:1-5 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load." (NIV)

Pastor Steve Covington of Through the Gate Women's Residential Program joins Dr. Mark E. Shaw on The Addiction Connection's first Podcast of the year. Steve is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. 3:20 How did Through the Gate begin their women's program? 6:23 How did Mark Shaw and Steve meet? 8:50 - 14:30 How are the church and the residential program interconnected? 15:00 Who does Through the Gate serve? Does Through the Gate serve women out of prison, or women who are headed to prison, or on probation? What about the homeless? 17:20 What curriculum does Through the Gate use for the women in the residential program? How much does it cost? How long is the program? 20:10 - 23:20  How do you serve women who are co-dependent? How do you serve women with shame? What kind of teaching do the women receive? 25:30 "This is intense discipleship for 8 months. There's no distraction from a job.. that's kinda the approach we've done and we've stuck with." - Pastor Steve Covington 27:50 "I remember early on, one of my goals was that one day "Through the Gate" would be run by graduates of Through the Gate... from my Development Director to the House Manager, to the office manager, to the staff we have in the cleaning business that we run (that supplies income to our program) – it's all run by now graduates of our program. I love that. It's not required to be here but it's just beautiful to see women who Christ has changed their heart... now discipling the next group that comes through!" 28:45 Where are some of the other graduates now? 29:20 Steve talks about his wife Janet's role. 32:40 Steve talks about why you should be involved with The Addiction Connection. 34:40 "That's why TAC (The Addiction Connection) exists -- is to mobilize the church... The reason I came up with like the "Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED" curriculum was to give churches a curriculum that they could use for addictions that would be consistent with the message that they preach on Sunday morning... you know, consistent with the Gospel and the Word of God." -Dr. Shaw 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (ESV) Are you looking for other recommended programs with a genuinely biblical approach to helping those who struggle with addictions? Visit TAC's website here. https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

The Addiction Connection Founder and President, Dr. Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., gives a call to action on this special New Year's Eve FINAL podcast of 2020. Introduction: Salvation, sanctification, put off, put on dynamic in addiction. What is the importance of community in addiction? Grace Fellowship Church is a great example of one local church that helps those who struggle with addiction to plug into the community. 4:00 What do social injustice and lockdowns have to do with addictive issues? 5:30 Proverbs 31:1-9 7:00 What do verses 6-7 refer to? 8:55 Mark's biblically-based call to leadership, especially in the addictions field, and applications of verses 4-5 about drinking "wine and strong drink" (applying this to beer, wine, champagne, so-called "spirits," alcohol in all its forms) 16:40 How was the message of the Messiah first shared by a human? What is the sanctifying restriction? Luke 1:12-17 23:55 A wicked, tragic end (in an earthly point of view) to a mighty and powerful life takes place during a drunken fest in the Bible. 25:15 What is the opportunity before the Body of Christ in this time of fear, unrest, and issues of the heart motives? 27:45 One family's alcohol-free idea to flip the New Year's Eve holiday.

Author and addictions biblical counselor Dr. Shaw, D.Min., devotes this entire episode to discussing the pros and cons of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). 2:40 The tragic 2018 statistics about addiction overdoses and deaths. 3:30 Proverbs 23:19-21 5:15 Comparing the addiction epidemic deaths to overdose to the Vietnam Conflict numbers 6:00 Methadone and Suboxone 10:21 What are some of the positives of methadone maintenance programs? 19:00 Committed to sobriety - how can we tell? 21:45 How is behavior modified for addicts? 23:45 What is Dr. Mark E. Shaw's opinion of MAT - medication-assisted treatment? What does Proverbs 23:29-21 say in the context of medication-assisted treatment?

His Glorious Return Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection, joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, just released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here.

Christ Has Come Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection, joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, just released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here.

God's Boundless Love Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here.

Jim Quigley joins author, biblical counselor, and The Addiction Connection Founder and President, Dr. Mark E. Shaw, D.Min. in the studio today to discuss the physical components of addiction from a biblical counseling point of view. Jim is the Executive Director of Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, NC, and serves as a board member of The Addiction Connection. He is also a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection.  Proverbs 25:28 "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." Jim shares his experience after an oral surgery. 9:15 What the secular approach teaches about Biological components and spiritual aspects. 10:30 Proverbs 25:28 discussion applied to the trap in the physical part of addiction 12:40 How biblical counselors have the potential to deny (or underplay) the physical components. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be compassionate about the physical components of going through a withdrawal. 14:45 What is the general length of time for people to feel clear headed after a long time addiction? 17:55 Medication Assisted Treatment is the number one therapy and is a completely physical treatment (methadone, suboxone) Find other like-minded ministries on TheAddictionConnection.org!

Joy Of The Lord Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection, joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here.

CJ McMurry is back on the podcast on location in the studio because he is in town for The 4th Annual TAC (The Addiction Connection) Summit. CJ is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection and also serves on the Board of The Addiction Connection, while he also is Program Director for The Refuge Winterset Iowa. Find more biblical programs at The Addiction Connection website here. 3:15 Thoughts on the news that Oregon voters elected to decriminalize all drugs. Measure 110 in Oregon regarding possession of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and more drugs says that drug possession will not be punishable with jail time. 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." 6:20 - CJ gives the background teaching of this chapter of this letter to the Corinthians from Paul. 9:30 - What about the harm for the Homeless population? 11:00 - What should biblical counselors think about this news? 11:46 - What are the two choices this law gives those who are caught with small amounts of street drugs? 13:00 - Sales and distribution of drugs and the law 13:25 - CJ McMurry's personal experience and his thoughts on incarceration for drug usage and dealing. 16:05 - How do we as blood bought believers in Christ respond to this legalization? 17:25 - "A Landmark declaration to stop criminalizing drug use..." said Cassandra Frederick, Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director. Find genuinely biblical addictions programs for men and for women at The Addiction Connection website here. https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

Peace of God Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection, joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, just released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here. Confidence that the Sovereign God is in control. You can walk through whatever is going on around you, knowing that God is with you. God is a mighty warrior who brings peace. He Himself is peace according to Ephesians 2. Each chapter has a day that focuses on a hymn and another one that focuses on a Christmas carol and then tells a little about the writer. The blood of Christ and the violence of the cross tore down the hostility between God Himself and mankind which reconciled us to God in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:13-18.  

Dr. Mark E. Shaw wraps up the series on the myths of addiction as noted in Dr. Lance M. Dodes' book: The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors (Harper Collins 2002) Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." A biblical recap of the myths from the pages of Dr. Dodes' book. the purpose of examining these myths is to take them a little bit further by thinking through biblical constructs and the truths of God's Word as the rationale for why these truths are true and why we at TAC agree with Dr. Dodes that these are myths. 3:40 Myth 1 If the drug is not the problem.... what is? Myth 2  What is rock bottom? That's very subjective, so what is the solution? And blame the person encouraging them to go lower? 6:28 Myth 3 Self-destructive-- so what does that look like in addiction? People believe the lie that the thing they are doing (drug or behavior) is actually helping them accomplish something. Do they hate themselves? Do they love themselves? 7:40 Myth 4 What is meant by surrender? Learning to manage their self-will is what Dr. Dodes says is actually true. Christians call releasing control surrendering to Christ. Not managing your life in a better way. Not turning to yourself. It's asking the Holy Spirit to live within you and ask to transform you day by day.  9:33 Myth 5 Should you count your days of sobriety? Dr. Dodes says it's crazy to think that someone who has a "slip" as he calls it after 90 days is actually making progress. Biblically, we are trying to help the person struggling to see the heart motive for how and why you are counting days. 10:41 Myth 6  God's word is the message and we are the messengers. 2 Cor 1:3ff Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 12:15 Myth 7 Mark quotes from Dr. Dodes book regarding the research! The Bible characterizes this as a sin issue. Not a supersized brain chemistry problem. Simply not true. It's a desire problem in the heart of man that God can change! 13:51 Myth 8  Where is the hope? 15:00 Myth 9 In an addictive choice of pleasure, how much planning goes on? 15:28 Myth 10 16:49 Previous podcasts on these myths of addiction *All of the myths discussed in the podcast are from The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors, by Dr. Lance M. Dodes (Harper Collins, 2002). TAC has a digital audio course that is very affordable. Email us at info@theaddictionconnection.org so that you can get a coupon for getting these lessons in detail taught to you as an audio course. Find out more at www.theaddictionconnection.org https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/self-help-philosophies-a-biblical-evaluation/

Ben Funkhouser, Executive Director of The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa, and he is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. Ben and Mark finish the series discussing the myths of addiction as noted in Dr. Lance Dodes book The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors (Harper Collins, 2002) How do we agree with Dr. Dodes' myths?  Are people with addictions impulsive? Romans 14:11-12 "for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." How do habits really help us? Responsibility before God is the truth that transforms someone from feeling helpless as if there's nothing I can do to change this, so I just have to deal with it. That's hopeless. What seems compulsive is really God's creative power in how He created us to develop habits.  6:45 - The world's lack of hope in their description of the problem of addiction Jay Adams (Godliness Through Discipline) taught on the ways habits affect and help our lives as a gift from God. Replacement is a key concept. And he also described the four characteristics of habits as automatic, unconscious, skillful, and comfortable. 11:35 - Ephesians 4:20-24 13:00 - Episodes of addictive choices have a lot of planning and effort involved even if the actions seem to happen quickly and easily. It's a planned lifestyle and the path becomes so "well-worn" that it's easy to go there. 14:50 - Matthew 5 calls us to be radical -- to cut off the paths of sin so we can replace these addictive habits. 16:12 -  A biblical Proverb says, "The way of a transgressor is hard." It does lead to destruction in our lives here, and then eternal destruction without Christ. (Proverbs 13:15) 18:30 - Ben describes the rationale for the seven-month men's program for addiction at The Refuge. The length of their program allows the residents there ample time to learn new biblical habits of living in a way that it becomes the new pattern of life. Find hope and help for addiction at www.theaddictionconnection.org https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/ Find resources for help from a genuinely biblical perspective at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/published-resources/ Find Ben Funkhouser at refugewinterset.com

Hope in God Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection joins the podcast for another episode in the Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, just released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here. How are Old Testament Prophecy and New Testament fulfillment? 3:17 - How would the prophecy that God gave to His people have given hope to Old Testament believers? 5:55 - The New Testament fulfillment is the next section of the weekly meditations. 10:05 - The God of hope 10:20 - Psalm 34:18 tells us that if we are crushed in spirit we can have the nearness of God and hope in Him. 11:45 - There is hope for the addicted. You can be forgiven through Jesus Christ and celebrate this Advent season with us! 12:56 - Remember Hope 14:19 - The chapters end with a hymn of response on Day 5. 16:18 - Trust – remember who God is to help us see that we really can trust Him.

Pastor Andy Bittle from Iowa is today's guest. He's the counseling pastor at Living Waters Fellowship in DesMoines. Find him at LWFDesmoines.com Mark introduces Andy and then they discuss the 8th and 10th myths of addiction as noted in Dr. Lance M. Dodes' book The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors (Harper Collins, 2002) Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Myth #8 says, "People with addictions have an addictive personality." We agree and we add the following to make it biblical. We are sinners at our core: our mind, our will, our flesh -- all areas of our lives -- have all been affected by sin. It's not something outside us exerting its influence on us. - Pastor Andy Bittle Not "self-nurture" as the world's counsel says, but turn ourselves toward Jesus. Myth #10 says, "Denial is a failure to recognize reality." We agree, and we add the Christian rationale and wisdom to view it through a biblical framework. God works in the lives of individuals ALL THE TIME. So the idea that denial is part of the "disease" of addiction is not true.  "Physically speaking, dependency is a true concept. But the idea that I don't have any power to choose anything else is not true." - Mark Shaw Ezekiel 36:26 "a new heart and a new spirit" is what God promises to us. The Bible offers hope! The Addiction Connection created a course entitled The Bible vs Self-Help Philosophies (audio course) available online at www.theaddictionconnection.org  https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/courses/the-bible-vs-self-help-philosophies

Shirley Crowder, author at Through the Lens of Scripture, and Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection joins the podcast for an Advent series. Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She is passionate about disciple-making, which is conducted in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities that include biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music. Shirley also currently serves as Vice-President of The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley discuss their new Advent book: Advent Meditations for Addicts, released in 2020. Find it on Amazon here.  3:30 - What is Advent? 6:00 - How can we direct our thoughts toward advent and what it means? -- What can block you from experiencing Christ in your life? 8:45 - How is the book organized and how do readers begin the reading sections? 10:05 - What do the candles represent, specifically? 14:30 - How are the daily meditations (Day 1 - Day 5) organized in each chapter/week? 16:28 - Why does each chapter start with the Old Testament prophecy and the Biblical fulfillment?

Lou Samaritano and Mark continue the series discussing Dr. Lance Dodes' myths of addiction that he writes about in his book The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors... (Harper Collins, 2002). Find Lou at abiblicalcounselor.com where he counsels in Sayville, Long Island, NY close to all the major thoroughfares there. He also counsels online via video conferencing software. Myth #6 You should be treated by someone who also has an addiction. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says "...so that we may be able to comfort those..." "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort." (ESV) Explaining the difference between being a sinner, being affected by sin, and sin having dominion over me. All Scripture is useful... so that the man of God can be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17) It really is the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Anyone can help an addict. Testimonies of what has happened to us are important but not what transforms the heart. God transforms hearts. God's great and precious promises are given to us. It's His power, His word, His enabling us to escape the corruption of our own hearts. Sex addiction, hatred, anger, it doesn't matter what it is, the core of the heart needs to be justified and sanctified. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11  "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." The Bible gives us hope that we CAN be set free. It happens from the Lord who is the Spirit, not my testimony as a counselor, that changes hearts. We have the ability to point them to the One who can set them free. Myth #7 "Addiction is basically a problem of brain chemistry." Dr. Dodes calls out this myth and we agree. Mark went to a training about 25 years ago where he began to witness the transitioning of the terminology and yet maintained the same exact treatment philosophies. The way we were brought up does have an effect on us but it is not binding on us. We still have a choice. Sins have been taken out of the "sin" category and put into the "sickness" category. Lou mentions David Tyler and Kurt Grady's book, Deceptive Diagnosis: When Sin is Called Sickness (2006, Focus) There is hope. If you are set free by Jesus Christ, you are not an alcoholic, you are a child of God. "As you minimize sin, then being saved is not that big of a deal. I just had this chemical problem in my brain, but other than that I was a pretty good person." - Lou Samaritano Three crosses are in The Addiction Connection logo, and that is purposeful -- Mark explains.

Jim Quigley joins Dr. Mark Shaw to discuss the myths of addiction in Dr. Lance Dodes' book, "The Heart of Addiction". Mark and Jim debunk the myths of addiction from a biblical perspective, taking it a step further. Proverbs 3:5-8 What is meant by the world when they use the term, "Surrender?" vs. what Christianity says about our inability to surrender. 8:20 - False humility apart from Christ and what repentance really means 9:47 - What the secular system thinks about will power and a higher power 11:43 - The illusion that the self-help system has helped millions of people but Dr. Dodes says otherwise, and so do we.  13:30-14:30 Jim summarizes what the world self-help system promotes 17:28 - 19:58 Surrender vs Submission and being transformed by God's power from God's Holy Spirit and God's Word 20:23 - Dying to self and still failing to acknowledge the source of the power 22:35 - Myth #5 You should count your days of sobriety.  24:00 - Does the chip system do more harm than good? Going back to zero every time you mess up 26:30 - 30:25 - Pursuing sobriety for the glory of God and knowing the bedrock truth that you are in Christ and don't need a reset 31:00 - Acknowledging God as you make and achieve goals of sobriety 31:45 - Vine and branches idea from Jim Quigley - fruit that remains coming from repentance 35:25 - Salvation cannot be lost because God gave it in the first place

In this podcast series, we're looking into Lance Dodes' 10 Myths of Addiction. We're joined by CJ McMurry a TAC Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor from The Refuge, a residential program for men in Winterset, Iowa as we discuss Myth #3. Find more people who help and the programs they run at www.theaddictionconnection.org 2:23  - 2 TImothy 3:2-5 3:00 - Myth #3 "If you have an addiction, you are self-destructive". The description of our problem from God's point of view; apart from Christ this is our bent 5:40 - Jeremiah 2:13 tells us about our two evils - forsaken the fountain of living waters and hewn out broken cisterns that hold no water. We always want to seek our own way rather than submit to the Lord's plan 7:30 - Addictive choices do lead to destruction but the reality is that your motivation is that you love what you THINK it does for you 8:26 - "Having an addiction" vs. desires within me 11:32 - The Biblical approach says 'lovers of self'  which is feeding the flesh and self-loving (not self-destructive) according to 2 Timothy 13:40 - Augustine of Hippo said, "My heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee" 16:15 - What about self-esteem? Matthew 22:37-40 tells us that Jesus knows we don't have a problem loving ourselves. We just need to love others as much as we already love ourselves. 18:45 - Book we recommend by Nicolas Ellen, entitled, Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-love: How to Trade the Trinity of Self Worship for the Triangle of Self-evaluation  20:37 - Having an addiction. vs. Having a sinful heart problem 22:50 - Quote from Puritan, Thomas Watson: "Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet." 24:40 - Jeremiah 2:13 Turning our back on God and looking for other ways to fill our hearts will only sicken, poison, and destroy us. 25:27 - What's going on at the mens' residential program of The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa, Snd Saylorville GCR (Gospel-Centered Recovery) Find more resources we recommend at www.theaddictionconnection.org/published-resources

10 Myths of Addiction Series on TAC Podcast Pastor Wes Pinkley joins us as we discuss Myths #1 and #2 of Lance Dodes' book "The Heart of Addiction" - but we examine these myths (which we agree with) but take them further by looking at the myths through a biblical perspective. Applications are made to pleasurable food items, marital sexual, relations, temptations of video gaming, pornography, heroin, opioids, surgical anesthesia. 3:50 - Lance Dodes' view of Myths of Addiction 4:45 - Myth #1 "You are addicted to things that are addictive".  7:30 - Summary of Dodes' entire book 17:15 - Myth #2 "You have to hit bottom before you can get well" 26:00 - Using Biblical words 34:56 - Discussion of the unclean and clean commands in the Bible and your faith causing another brother to stumble based on Romans 14:13ff 37:30 - Building our house upon the Rock, the truths of Scripture, and applications to marriage 41:40 The joy of abiding in Christ and being saved by grace. 44:30 Encouragement for obtaining The Addiction Connection Commissioning process. Find out more at www.theaddictionconnection.org/commissioning/

Introduction to the 10 Myths of Addiction Series hosted by Dr. Mark E. Shaw.

Guest in the studio, Kirby Johnson, joins Mark Shaw on today’s podcast! In episode #56, Kirby tells us a little bit of his story. But in this episode, Kirby expounds even more about how God has worked through his life. Kirby was an addict and now is a redeemed follower of Jesus. The Lord used a biblical residential program in Washington as the main area of growth in his life—not just allowing him to “recover” but to be transformed from the inside out. Today, he is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with TAC. He also serves in a variety of ways in his church, in small groups for those caught in addiction, and counsels others regularly. Counseling is his biggest passion – he desires to share with others the same hope that he has found in Christ! Kirby’s life verse is 2 Corinthians 5:21 which says: For our sake he made him be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

A regular on The Addiction Connection Podcast, our friend Jim Quigley joins us from Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, NC to talk about a book that he requires the men at his addiction residential program to read. In fact, we think it’s a book that everyone should read. The fictional novel, Bo’s Café, by John Lynch, Bill Thrall, and Bruce McNicol explores our need for mentoring, discipline, and relationships with those around us. 

Dr. Mark E. Shaw's dad, Ronny Shaw, joins today’s podcast. If you’ve ever contacted The Addiction Connection by phone, you’ve most likely spoken with Ronny. As an evangelist, his life verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 0:57 Ronny’s favorite Bible verse 1:25 Life story 4:45 Saved at 25 11:15 Counseling stories (& juicy ones about Mark) 15:45 TAC is a family-run ministry 16:45 We who are saved are one family in Christ. Want to join the family? Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today.

Gal 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” 1:30 What is real hope? 3:00 Temporal hope vs eternal hope 4:40 Power of hope in the union with Christ 7:00 If you’re in Jesus, you already HAVE this 7:30 Identity 8:20 The work of hope in transformation 13:30 Addicted to Jesus instead of selfish desires 14:00 Reconciliation 15:45 Practical ways to resist temptation. Submit to God. See Him as more glorious. Then, you can resist temptation. 22:15 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”

Dr. Cindy Jones, a CABC with The Addiction Connection, serves with Healing Hearts Ministry and joins us on today’s podcast. Healing Hearts is the umbrella from which various ministries flow, such as women's conferences bible studies, speaking engagements, and more. Their flagship ministry outreach is Free Indeed Restoration Ministry for men, women, and teens. It's a recovery ministry of sorts, but ultimately their focus is upon helping others be transformed and set free by the power of God. In this podcast episode series, we discuss celebrities who struggled with addiction.  2:28 Philippians 1:6 says “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 2:45 Whitney Houston’s faith 4:30 Idols of the heart 7:00 Hopelessness in the thick of the addiction 8:00 Acronym for H.O.P.E. (Hold On, Pain Ends) 8:30 God’s Word sets us free 9:20 The word “process” isn’t a word we like to hear. 10:00 Is “recovery” in the Bible? 12:00 Crying out to God for help and laying down our pride 15:00 Certainty of hope 17:30 What would you say to someone who is looking for love in all the wrong places? 18:30 Loneliness 20:50 Connect with Cindy at www.healinghearts4jesus.org. Starting back up soon, you can also find more about Free Indeed Restoration Ministry.

Shirley Crowder, Vice President of The Addiction Connection, joins us on the podcast for a very special announcement! The Addiction Connection is excited to publish Advent: Meditations for Addicts by Shirley Crowder and Mark E. Shaw. Learn more about this resource and behind-the-scenes of how and why we created this resource especially for transforming addicts, but also for any Christ-follower. 5:30 About the book 8:30 What the candles represent 10:30 Start reading 5 weeks before Christmas 13:18 Shirley’s last advent season with her mom 17:35 Our prayer for those who read this book 18:27 Available on Amazon Kindle and in print 19:00 What this book helps us focus on during the Christmas season 22:30 Adjectives to describe God’s love 28:09 The first of many books that will be published by TAC 30:10 Grab your copy today!

Jim Quigley, a CABC with The Addiction Connection and Executive Director of Freedom Farm Ministries, joins us as we discuss celebrity musicians' struggles with addiction. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 6:45 – Music becoming our identity. Musicians speaking into our lives. 7:31 Discussion of various bands. James 1:14 - But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 20:00 Living for Christ 23:00 “The Gospel itself doesn’t change but it continues to bring new life to people” -Jim Quigley

Louis Samaritano, a CABC with The Addiction Connection, joins us on this special podcast series discussing celebrities who struggled with addiction. Louis discusses Micky Mantle, who was a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees. 2:00 Hebrews 2:14 "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." 8:23 What were Micky’s addictive behaviors? 11:00 Redemption - Bobby shares the Gospel with Micky. 15:35 Sow the seed. Don’t give up. Share the Gospel. Reach out with compassion and love. 16:20 Nothing on earth can fill the void we have. Only Jesus can. 17:30 Lou’s website is www.abiblicalcounselor.com, be sure to check it out.

Mark addresses the hopelessness of the lyrics of this song "Glorious Sons – S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)". Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (ESV) 6:00 Where is the hope in this world of suffering? 7:00 What does biblical counseling offer those saying they are contemplating suicide? 10:04 What is the Hope that the Gospel offers? Proverbs 15:13 "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart, the spirit is crushed." Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 "Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors, there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun." 16:45 What does the orange, three-cross LOGO of The Addiction Connection really mean? 18:27  Resources available to those who feel hopeless www.theaddictionconnection.org https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV) Dr. Shaw quotes from Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers a book by Dane C. Ortlund. What is the meaning of the "Rest and Rejuvenation" theme at the TAC Summit? What resources will be at the TAC Summit? What is the Prayer Room at the TAC Summit? What if you need some counsel, help, or encouragement at the TAC Summit? The 2020 TAC Summit took place November 12-14.

Psalm 133:1-3 "Behold, how good and pleasant it is     when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head,     running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron,     running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon,     which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,     life forevermore." (ESV) 8:15 Mark asks CJ what makes the 2020 annual TAC Addiction Connection Summit different from many other conferences. 11:00 Mark mentions Terry McCutcheon with Hope for Glasgow, a resource on the TAC network's non-residential programs page. 13:50 How are the Summit breakout discussion groups divided? 17:50 Mark and CJ talk about the speakers coming to the 2020 TAC Summit Brad Bigney, Howard Eyrich, Bill Hines, and Jim Berg 24:39 Will the spouses of those in addiction ministry feel connected at The Summit? CJ McMurry is the Program Director on staff at The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa, and he is a CABC, Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. The Refuge is one of the Residential Addictions Ministries listed on The Addiction Connection's website with a genuinely biblical approach to caring for those with what the world calls the "diseases" or "illnesses" of "Substance Use Disorders" and "Alcohol Use Disorders."

Dr. Mark E. Shaw discusses the "Florida Shuffle." Proverbs 22:1-2 "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,  and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together;  Lord is the Maker of them all." 1:22 What is the recent news about Florida's drug treatment situation for those diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder? 5:01 What does the ACA (Affordable Care Act) have to do with current trends in treatment for those labeled with Substance Use Disorder? 6:00 What about relapse? 8:40 What are the priorities of the providers of addictions biblical counseling listed on The Addiction Connection website?  10:52 How can you find out about best practices in biblical addictions ministries? (Come to our annual Summit event!)

What is the Partnership Between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God? Find encouragement for addictions biblical counselor from the Word of God today. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 4:18 ACBC has started an Addictions Specialization. Find out more here. 6:30 Who is the only ONE who can comprehend the thoughts of God? (verses 11-12) 7:30 How can we understand what God wants us to understand? 7:55 How do the words we use make a difference? 8:59 Is God's Help equal to self-help? 9:20 What are Spiritual words? 10:15 Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (ESV)  So what is God's good pleasure? 12:17 Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." 13:49 How and why does God pierce you? 15:06 What happens when your weapon that you are using is NOT the sword of the Spirit?

1:56 October 5-6, 2020 is the annual ACBC conference (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) where Mark will give a workshop on this topic. "The Practical Outworking of the Holy Spirit in Addiction Counseling" 3:10 God's Spirit indwells a believer. John 14:16-17 5:10 What does it mean to "quench" the Holy Spirit? 5:27 Galatians 5:16-26 7:47 Key Doctrines of the Bible from John MacArthur's study bible 11:00 How God's Holy Spirit is here alive and doing the work through you

Dr. Mark E. Shaw continues the series during National Recovery Month, which he has renamed National Transformation Month for Christians. Luke 6:45 "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (ESV) 1:01 Is the word addiction actually in the Bible? 1:11 Benjamin Rush 2:18  Sin, drunkenness, idolatry, witchcraft, "pharmakia" 2:43 The Center on Addiction answers the question, "What is an Addiction?" 5:02 A complex chronic medical fatal disease that eliminates the entire Body of Christ? 11:48 People with addiction or people who get stuck in their enslaving desires? 13:05 How you define the problem will determine how you deal with it 13:44 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): what does the addiction world think of this treatment for those with addiction? Suboxone, methadone, etc 15:29 What do believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have that the world doesn't have? 16:27 What is the Biblical definition of addiction? Ephesians 5:18 and Luke 6:45 17:40 What does Jesus mean by "good person" in Luke 6:45? 18:15 Mark Shaw's redefining of the world's definition of addiction as of 2020 19:56 Physical enslaving component of addiction 20:37 Worship disorder or substance use disorder? Isaiah 44:9-20 22:40 What about sin? Is this hard and cruel to say it this way? 25:10 How will you take this message of truth to the world around you?

Discussion with Lou Samaritano, who holds a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling, Certification with ACBC, and also holds the credential of Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC) with The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Dr. Samaritano discuss ministry to hurting souls, especially those who struggle with sins associated with addiction (aka "Substance Use Disorder" or "Alcohol Use Disorder"). Opening: Galatians 2:20 3:40 Why do we need other people in applying scripture to our lives? 6:00 Lou's website is abiblicalcounselor.com where his ministry offers "loving help for hurting people through God's truth" in Sayville and the Long Island, New York area. 7:30 Speaking the truth in love and hearing it for ourselves (as biblical counselors) at the same time 8:08-17:20 Lou's personal spiritual journey 17:30 The Addiction Connection's goal of promoting and highlighting other like-minded ministries who offer genuinely biblical help to hurting souls struggling with addiction, (a.k.a. substance use disorders, alcohol use disorders, opioid use disorders.) 19:55 September: National Recovery Month vs National Transformation Month 21:38 Seeking for satisfaction, comfort, & happiness. How the Lord came to give us life more abundantly. How everyone is a worshipper according to Romans 1, and 1 John 5:21. 22:43 What was TAC's commissioning process like for Lou? 24:04 The Addiction Connection's 4th Annual Summit 2020 with the theme of "Rest and Rejuvenaton" is in November. Find out more at theaddictionconnection.org 26:03 The secular world has led the way in addiction lately, but we have a message beyond sobriety, and it's about transformation.

A discussion between Biblical Counselor for Grace Fellowship Church, and Law Enforcement Officer Mike Petri and Dr. Mark E. Shaw of The Addiction Connection. The relationship between law enforcement and addiction (aka Alcohol Use Disorders and Substance Use Disorders) issues is the topic of their discussion. Learn about Mike's role as a Police Chaplain as well. Introduction: Reading of Romans 13 2:22 Unwillingness to come under authority - spiritual and earthly 3:39 Law enforcement interacting with someone under the influence and the idea of sobering centers and jail 5:07 Frustration level of veteran officers and the different thinking of new officers 6:48 What is "for your good" regarding law enforcement in your life? 8:05 Similarities to biblical counseling and God's patience with us and our sin and our need for grace, mercy, and justice 8:56 How can we pray for our local law enforcement officers? 13:57 How we fulfill our role, our identity, and what we do for employment interact. 15:21 Mike's role as a Police Chaplain not just for the civilians but also for the police officers 17:57 What does Romans 13 say about perfect authority? 18:53 How can we as citizens interact with police officers? 19:52 Romans 13:5 "for the sake of conscience" 20:39 What is the hope of the Gospel for the heart of addiction?

Podcast 64  Biblical Counselor and Law Enforcement Officer Mike Petri and Dr. Mark E. Shaw of The Addiction Connection discuss addiction during National Recovery Month (or National Transformation Month for Christians) September 2020. Opening with Romans 12:2 1:32 Truth and renewing the mind and sharing perspective and hope with others 3:05 Philippians 4:8 and feeding yourself God's truth on a daily basis. 4:20 What does the Christian have that the unbeliever cannot access? 5:07 Mark and Mike discuss a specific transformation story that Mike witnessed 7:52 Radical Amputation (Matthew 5) discussion. What about the overdose epidemic for those struggling with addiction aka (Substance Use Disorder) (Alcohol Use Disorder)? 10:00 What about unwilling, unrepentant persons? 10:36 How to fulfill the command for Disciple-making among men in your community 12:59 How to disagree in love after building relational trust

National Recovery Month (September 2020) has arrived again.  People who struggle with "addiction" or "Substance Use Disorder" or "Alcohol Use Disorder" get nothing more than pity and stigmatization from the world system that assigns them an illness. Dr. Mark E. Shaw explains how God wants more and can grant true freedom in Christ. [1:00] Recovery is a good word- to reclaim your old self. [1:49] What the Bible says (2 Cor 3:12ff) about true freedom [3:09] Why is transformation better than recovery? [3:41] How can I be transformed? [5:56] How the world's view of addicts is short-sighted. [7:34] National Recovery Month - be a better version of yourself. [7:53] National Transformation Month - be transformed from a caterpillar to a butterfly. [8:39] Why pity for addicts isn't desirable. [9:46] Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED - a new disciple-making program for those who struggle with addiction [10:43] What is true freedom?

Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Dean Greenwood discuss the nature of the love of God and how to love people through biblical counseling. 2:00 Love is a gift God gives. 2 Corinthians 13 is an exclamation point to Paul's writing on spiritual gifts. 3:01 God the Father identifies Himself as love. 3:40 The key to proclaiming the Gospel. Our actions can be even more powerful than our words can express. 4:25  How does Dean serve the people of the local church at Grace Fellowship Church? 5:55 Letting the Holy Spirit use us. 7:30 Love increases the counselee's receptiveness to the correction offered by a biblical counselor. 8:20 Running to an addictive pursuit is a common way people react after being hurt in some way. 8:56 How addicts are hurting and how to help people deal with their hurt. 10:25 Teaching counselees about addiction. God gives us everything we need for life and godliness The way out of temptation. 11:40 The thorn in the flesh and an admission of weakness. 13:34 A Nicotine addiction. 16:20 Addiction as idolatry. Do we worship God or go get our peace, strength, encouragement from a drug? 17:55 How to help people who are failing to see God's grace and love in their own lives.

Dr. Mark E. Shaw describes the content of the booklet he authored, Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart available at Focus Publishing here. 1:13 --This teaching is NOT just aimed at addiction counseling sessions, but any counseling because it covers the three basic ways we are ALL tempted to sin found in 1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (NASB) 2:12  These three temptations are all also found in Gen 3:6, Matt 4, Luke 4 2:36 How are you tempted? 3:00-3:23 With a recent relapse of someone... what were you believing about God? What were you doubting about God? Why wasn't God enough? 4:07 Addiction is an unbelief issue, doubting God and believing only in themselves. 4:20 We really think we're good, and we really think we're "god." That's our sinful nature. 5:01 The word "lust" simply means a "strong desire." 5:19 Temptation to do anything you want to do without limits. To have what we want without limits. To be whatever we want to be without limits. Receiving praise from other people. 7:08 People who struggle with this pride of life tend to be people-pleasers, they really want people to see them in the best possible way. 8:01 All three temptations are in all of our hearts. Anyone can benefit from this teaching. 8:35 Special Offer: Now through Sept 25, we are offering this booklet to you if you send in a donation to The Addiction Connection of any amout while supplies last. (Continental U.S.A only) 9:20 If you'd like quantity discounts, Focus Publishing www.focuspublishing.com 1-800-91-FOCUS in Bemidji, Minnesota will currently give bulk discounts when you order this resource. 10:15 Diagnose your own heart first using this teaching and then use this booklet to help other people. Connected to Christ, you can pursue pleasure within his boundaries and His limits. 11:25 All three temptations /desires are redeemed when you glorify God with them, through and in connection with Jesus Christ.

1st Corinthians 10:31 says "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do all to the glory of God." Dr. Shaw announces the completion of his " Magnum Opus." A video and digital program for addiction, entitled Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED. He begins by giving glory to God and thanking the team of people from TAC and the location and leadership of Grace Fellowship Church. A curriculum consists of 12 units using the acronym  Be TRANSFORMED. The first lesson is identity and teaches man's way and God's way. Who are you? Who's your creator? Addiction-- what is it? Why is this important? The stages of transformation. You can't transform your own heart. This program is useless if the Holy Spirit doesn't transform the heart. And the glory will be to God no matter who uses this program. T is for truth in love. Ephesians 4 15-16 says, "Rather, speaking the truth and love we are to grow up in every way to he who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped when each part is working properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." The importance of biblical truth and we can't all pick our own truth. God's truth is the truth we need to embrace. John 1:14 Jesus was 100% Grace and 100% truth. R is for repentance. Addiction requires repentance because it's viewed as our desires being sinful ones that miss the mark. Turn away from sin to Jesus Christ.  There are be transformed truths at the end of each unit. A is for assurance of pardon. The bad news is that the heart desires are sinful but the good news is you can be forgiven! How does God forgive you? How does God forgive other people? How to be like Christ? How do you forgive? Granting forgiveness to others. Ephesians 2:8-10.  "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, not a result of works so, no one may boast. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Unit 5 N is for the newness of life. Continuing to grow daily and needing repentance in our lives and all the resources God has given us.  Unit 6 is s for sanctification. The work of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of those doing the program (the participants.) unit 7 is f fruit-producing. This is about godliness talking about pride and humility and Temptation.  Unit 8 ...  is O...others-focused. Unit 9 is R for responsibility. M is for maturity. Which is cultivating a heart of gratitude. E is for exemplifying Christ being humble being submissive. D is for disciple-making, be a disciple and be a disciple-maker and being purposeful to help other people. This program is an expansion launching out from the resources Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart. Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies workbook. The Heart of Addiction. Cross-Talking:  A Daily Gospel for Transforming Addicts. Find the Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED program to purchase it at www.theaddictionconnection.org This program gives you 66 lessons over a little over a year if you take four or five breaks with the pace of 1 lesson per week. If you are an addict, you don't have to do it alone. Grab a friend or find a couple of people to go through it with. They don't have to be addicts.  Join our annual event, The Addiction Connection Summit: www.theaddictionconnection.org

Is addiction an issue of unbelief? "If you use drugs you must be an unbeliever.." Unbelief blocks the experience of a vibrant relationship with God. What are the distractions from the message of hope? People are looking to the addiction of choice to fix what ails them. Trusting ourselves. That's the heart of unbelief. Prov 3:5 tells us to NOT trust ourselves. Even when the circumstances are hard. Be not wise in your own eyes. We lean on our own understanding and in those moments doubt God. Not falling away totally because of the perseverance of the saints which I believe in. But overdosing and dying from a sinful choice based on unbelief and doubt can lead to the death of the body. But because of their faith in Jesus, their return to their sin didn't nullify their salvation. There are people I know in heaven right now even though they overdosed and died. The bigger message is more than clean and sober. It's about making Jesus Lord and Savior so they don't go back to the old ways of their flesh. Unbelief is a key problem in the heart of the addicted. Operating as if they are "god,"  they trust in their own solutions. With all the fear inside the height of pandemic times, there are people who were and are still trusting in God – going into the hospitals and other essential service work for their employment. Their boldness exudes a trust in God. We need exhortation and community every day. So I don't just need church on Sunday. I need to be talking to Christians every day. 90 meetings in 90 days. That's actually awesome instruction from the self-help movement. I wish it were 90 church meetings 90 one on one meetings We need someone every day! It can be lonely and you can be deceived by your own sin in your own heart and become hardened in your heart. Find somebody to exhort you. That's the number one danger of isolating and living in your own world during this time.. We can become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Unbelief...doubting God and trusting self as if you are a king or "god." You need somebody outside of you to point that out. We have three different types at Grace Fellowship Church: care groups, community groups, and large group worship. God loves you and wants good for you. He knows that you are weak. I want my kids to know that they are weak. You need Christ. Don't try to do it in your own strength. Don't think you've gotta be superman and do this without help. "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV, from biblegateway.com)

Ketamine infusion protocol clinics are now an exploding fad even though these clinics are not FDA approved for this purpose of what they are calling psychiatric care and therapy for depression or suicidal ideation. This drug is legally approved for sedation for surgeries etc but not for this purpose.  Discovered in 1926 and utilized more in the 60s as an anesthetic, Ketamine was used to tranquilize horses as well. Ketamine infusion protocols for people at outpatient clinics are what is alarming. It's an "Off-Label" use of ketamine for suicidal ideations and for other situations in people who are finding that the medicines they have tried are not working for their depression. People pay upwards of $300 to sit in a comfortable chair, and get an IV started to receive the anesthesia drug ketamine infused into their veins over a period of about 25 minutes and then go home. This is the therapeutic intervention that is being tried now for depression. The sad thing is that people are reporting that they have out-of-body experiences, feel at peace, and feel a connectedness to others during their time there. The motivation to help people with depression is something to be commended but I'm concerned that this is not the answer, Dr. Shaw explains.  I think we need to quit looking for answers from drugs. Dr. Shaw mentions Jonathan Isaac, the Orlando Magic basketball player who recently shared the Gospel very well and very accurately in a news conference. We have the hope of the Gospel. Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross for our sins. Those who place their trust in him for salvation are saved eternally. Dr. Shaw says he's saddened by the increasing search for hope from drugs.

Dr. Mark E. Shaw talks about the group of individuals and ministries that comprise The Addiction Connection. Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Mark explains the theme for the previous Addiction Connection Summits (TAC's annual gathering every fall). Verses 9-12 paint a broad picture that Dr. Shaw applies to those who are helping the addicted and their families. CABC (Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors) are sacrificing, working hard, serving in their local churches and their own ministries. They are persevering saints. Verse 13 talks about the Word of God being at work inside a believer's heart. Mark mentions the Selfie Dad movie, which is about an average marginal Christian who was not really doing much in his walk with Christ. The Word of God was exalted as something to be feasting upon... reading, studying, memorizing, and focusing upon the Bible. When the Holy Spirit does this work in your heart, people become dear to you – not problems you have to fix or cases that you have to counsel. Loving those who are living for themselves is a powerful message that is only perfectly done by God. God is the picture of loving the unlovely hearts. The counselors we have on our TAC website emulate God in this way. We say they are amazing people and we mean it. Because we have people on our TAC website who have adopted children even one who was left at their ministry by someone who they had helped. These people are helping the addicted and their families in ways that are mind-blowing. We have residential programs. We have non-residential programs that meet weekly. Several counselors that are listed are genuine, faithful to God as they honor God and serve the hurting addicted and their loved ones. The common thread is that you will find people who are trained and ready to share not only the Gospel but those who are ready to lay down their very lives for the addicted.  "I couldn't be more honored to be a part of this group." -Dr. Shaw The Gospel Coalition featured Dr. Mark Shaw on its Q&A podcast on July 29, 2020.

Special guest Kirby Johnson joins Mark Shaw on today’s podcast! Kirby was an addict and now is a redeemed follower of Jesus. The Lord did amazing things in his life, using a biblical residential program in Washington as the main area of growth in his life — not only recovering, but also being transformed from the inside out. Today, he is working toward becoming a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor through TAC's relational disciple-making process. He also serves in a variety of ways in his church, in small groups for those caught in addiction, and counsels others regularly. Counseling is his biggest passion – he desires to share with others the same hope that he has found in Christ! Kirby’s life verse is 2 Cor 5:21 which says: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Connecting The Hope Of The Gospel With The Heart Of Addiction: theaddictionconnection.org

Dr. Mark E. Shaw talks with Tim Brown, founder of His Steps Ministries. Tim also serves on the TAC Board of Directors and is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor. As a counselor, teacher, and disciple-maker, Tim is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ who has a heart for those struggling with addiction. In this podcast, Mark and Tim begin the discussion by reading Psalm 91 and posing the question: in whom do you find your shelter and refuge? You might think the answer is easy: Jesus, of course! But do we always make him our refuge? Do we daily seek to make Him our #1? Tim talks about how our flesh oftentimes gets in the way of making Christ the center of our lives. It's amazing: a thousand times we fail Him, yet He remains faithful to us. What love!  Thought is what affects how we feel, and then drives our actions. Reactions to circumstances in our lives amount to one of two things: worry or worship. We must focus on the root of our actions: our thoughts.  What are you thinking about others? What do you think about God? What are your thoughts about situations around you? Your answers to these questions will dictate how you respond to everything in life. Fill your mind with God’s Word, and He will change the way you feel and act. It's a crazy time. In a world of chaos, a pandemic, racism, violence, and increasing sin — we as Christians can rest assured that God is with us and He is in control. Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 46:10 be still and know that I am God God allows suffering in our lives to bring us ultimately closer to Him and to serve Him better in this life, as we eagerly await the life eternal. Get Involved! We encourage you to get involved in ministry to the addicted, receive training, as the addicted need the church to point them to Jesus. Find out how to get equipped here.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise - Prov. 20:1.  Dr. Mark E. Shaw opens with this verse in today's podcast. He discusses how the desire for any kind of selfish pleasure-seeking leads to despair, unhappiness, and unwise living.  As Christians, we are not to partner with evil and darkness. Instead, we are to walk as children of light.  Eph 5:18-19 says, And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Dr. Shaw speaks about being a life that is led by the Holy Spirit brings glory to God, blessing those around you, and how to be that person!

Star football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Christian, Ben Roethlisberger is very open about his addictive past: both to alcohol and pornography. In a quote via ESPN, Ben states that "it's not always easy. People don't realize all the time that we athletes, we're human. We sin like everybody else. I am no different. We make mistakes. We get addicted to things. We sin. We're human. I think sometimes we get to be put on this pedestal where we can't make mistakes. I've fallen as short as anybody. I've been addicted to alcohol. I've been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be" (USA Today). Dr. Mark Shaw agrees that addiction is not a disease, but a sin issue of the heart, which the Bible calls idolatry. God has been faithful in Ben's life. Let's continue to pray for Ben as he seeks to honor God in every aspect of his life – including football.

In the US, as we celebrate the July 4th signing of the Declaration of Independence, we should also remember our need for complete dependence upon God. Why? Because as followers of Christ, we cannot forget that we need God - every day, every hour, every minute. Proverbs 3:5-8 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." Fearing the Lord includes dependence upon Him. An addict's decisions at times are independent of God, pursuing idols of the heart. We need to help addicts understand the fear of the Lord - turning AWAY from sin TO Christ. In doing so, the addict can find hope and healing.  Additionally, too often we, as independent-minded Americans (and humans!), tend to pursue our own ways while neglecting to spend time with God and being plugged into the Body of Christ. Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Jim leads Freedom Farm Ministries in Boone, NC, and is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC) who also serves as a board member with The Addiction Connection. Dr. Shaw and Jim's discussion opens with Proverbs 14:12 — “There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death.” Jim informs listeners that the publication of The Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin in 1861 dramatically affected the Protestant church. It rocked the Christian church because it challenged large portions of the Bible by something that “sounds” really good. Soul care actually began to then be torn from and separated from local churches and became something Christians were scared about because of “science.”  Dr. Daniel Berger (drdanielberger.com) has written about the history of this decline of pastors coming alongside people to help them with their problems in his many books. It just sounds right that I have a chemical imbalance, mental illness, and I have a disease, but it’s so destructive to lives and people getting set free. Proverbs 13:20 is the next verse they discuss. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (ESV) Sounds much like changing the people, places, and things. This one is referring to people. The example used is someone going into bars in order to save all your buddies from the bars. Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Rebuke does not mean you have to be mean. Truth can be given in a loving and gracious way. Sharing truth in an ugly way is bad but also not sharing truth because you are afraid of offending them is wrong as well. “Wound and friend are in the same sentence. If you are wounding someone, [first] make sure they know that you are their friend.” -Quigley. Gentleness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Be encouraged to say the hard thing out of love. Have the boldness to speak. This proverb helps to speak to both the sender and the receiver. All the proverbs are chocked full of truth. So wise to utilize the book in counseling. Find the ministry where Jim serves as Executive Director at www.Freedomfarmmistries.org

Dr. Mark E. Shaw announces the video series available through The Addiction Connection entitled "Family Help for Addiction: A Care Group Study". This study is catered to the family member who has a son or daughter, a husband or wife, or any loved one in the family who struggles with addiction. We typically focus on helping the addict seek treatment. The Addiction Connection website has a map: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/ It will help you find people and programs;