Paul writes in Romans 6:20-23, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. And what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. But now, since you have been liberated from sin and become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification - and the end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Addiction for me was simply a “way of life.” One of the most powerful weapons the enemy has is ‘confusion’ which leads to an ‘illusion’ that your life isn’t that bad. Denial of what may be obvious to even a casual observer, is often necessary for a habitual life of sin to continue for many years. Years of various false reasoning and an environment conducive to my sinful life-style were essential in my lack of progression in life. Equipped with the self-taught idea that so long as a person tried to do the right thing and was primarily only self-destructive, good and prosperous things must be just around the bend. Growing up, I was good at most things I tried and often experienced the joy of winning. At some point I had decided that I didn’t need God (or conviction from sin) in my life. I started to question everything that I had believed up to that point in my life. Philippians 2:21 says, “all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” I found freedom in lawlessness and unbridled young adulthood. I enjoyed drinking beer and smoking marijuana at weekend parties. Soon my focus wasn’t on my studies at college, but on a new found discovery. The perfect after-party hangover remedy was to just drink some more that next morning. Not long after that, I decided why not just drink everyday. Blinded with ignorance, I had become an alcoholic at a very young age. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” I was prepared for spiritual warfare with a handful of sand and no armor. I spent the next 18 years or so losing battle after battle and not understanding why. God sent many of His servants to cross my path along the way, but I rejected the Truth. As a youth, failure wasn’t in my vocabulary. Ironically, for the one voted "Most likely to succeed", I had become accustomed to failure and defeat. It was not until I had lost all hope and had finally experienced ‘rock bottom’, that I considered the option that I had been wrong about God. What if that young lady (Angie), was right about me needing to go try out that new Christian recovery place called House of Disciples? At the very least, there are two little girls that call me ‘daddy’ who deserve for me to give this a shot. After 18 years of darkness, I finally saw a glimmer of light! As deeply rooted as I proclaimed to be in my disbelief, I cried out for Jesus to show me that He was real! He responded in a super-natural vision. First shock, then shame, followed by fear! I knew what I had to do. I needed to get saved and forgiven. I vaguely remembered praying that prayer as a young boy, not at all understanding what it really meant. As I stood in that sanctuary, I again cried out to the Lord! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I proceeded to confess the name of Jesus Christ as my Savior! I felt an overwhelming sense of Peace and that a weight that had been lifted off my shoulders. I made a deal with God, “God if you will get rid of my addiction to sin, I will serve You for the rest of my life.” I came to the House of Disciples two years ago and by the Grace of God, I haven’t had any drugs or alcohol since then. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.” Amen!