Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
My own spiritual journey and recovery has shown what true masculinity is all about. The character and integrity. Finding joy, since happiness requires right circumstances, means to come to a place of experiencing life - regardless of the good, bad, and those ugly moments.
When we seek first God's Kingdom, we shall be blessed with those things we stand in need of temporally. As our faith increases, so does our ability to seek God and conform to his will and desire for our lives. In doing so, we will be blessed through our obedience to the teachings and commandments that he has given us.
We come to accept the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifference of our own sense of being. There is a stark contrast between love and hate. Either we love ourselves, love others, and have a love for life; or, we hate ourselves, hate others, and hate our lives. Love and hate are polar opposites. Where there is genuine love hate has no room to grow. Where there is hate there is no real genuine love. This is true with genuine and mindful forgiveness.
As meaningful as our desire is to reach out to those who are lost, and specifically more so to those suffering from active substance use and mental health disorders; we do well to remember the wise and therapeutic recommendation to do no harm. And erroring on the side of ignorance is not cutting it anymore. What I propose is for the Christian community at large, and each individual Christian personally, to come to understand some things when engaged in ministry work. That is, to become aware, educated, and understand the true nature of recovery, the healing process, and the restoration of an individual to a meaningful and purposeful Christian life and relationship. Not just with our Savior, Jesus Christ, but also in relationship with others that are supportive, understanding (through empathy and compassion). A sanctuary that is considered safe.
Often times I feel like I am not receiving what I desire from others because I am not willing to allow myself to be open enough to receiving. It's as if I have a little shop set up for people to come in and yet maintain locked doors.
For me, the lack of discipleship within these certain Christian fellowships lacked a program to foster spiritual growth on a person's spiritual journey in faith. Christians boast that such a lifestyle is a faith based on a relationship with Jesus Christ. A fellowship of believers. Yet many fail to nourish those new to the faith and therefore many no longer attend services or ministry programs. Yet one walks into the fellowship rooms of recovery and there they are nourished by many stories of victory and endurance of faith, power of restoration, and healing. Not just in the rooms themselves, but in connection and fellowship through individual relationship and fellowship of mentoring, discipleship, and sponsoring those still suffering and struggling.
There is an awakening that occurs in the heart and minds of every person who is suffering and perishing. Those who awaken to their awful condition and state of being see the destruction for what it really is. We see ourselves as unclean. Filthy. And, a great burden is on our back that weighs us down. As much as we do not want to face this truth – we must face it or continue to suffer and perish. This is where we find Christian. Faced with the reality of a coming destruction. The reality of the burden we bear.
When it comes to our Christian faith - we are to learn to become better individuals. It is not only striving to be more Christ-like in our lives. It involves being mindful in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We may not believe that there may be a solution to those problems that evoke us toward anger. One of the motivating factors toward our natural disposition toward anger centers on perceived (whether real or not) danger. When we experience anger, chances are that it is due to us feeling quite threatened.
There appears to be some aversion to attending, participating in, and following the 12-steps of sober support meetings. The underlying question: does a 12-step program help people achieve sobriety? In Chapter 2, of the second edition of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we read the following introductory statement: WE, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands… Continue reading Does a 12-step based recovery program work?
In the last three articles, we explored the following: Human authenticity and conscious living; Premise One: Authenticity is essential to the human experience; And, Premise Two: Emotional intelligence and our human experience. In this third installment, the discussion focuses on having a vision in order to move forward. Vision gives us a sense of direction.… Continue reading Premise Three: Having a vision to move forward
Depression forces the individual into a feeling of sadness that persists for long periods and significantly interferes with one’s ability to perform everyday tasks, at home, school or work. ~ Krishnee Appadoo It is a very dark place to be. At least when it comes in like a flood. Suffocating any sense of reason. Once… Continue reading Suffering in silence
The past few days (except for today) reminded me of how important rest is to the human mind, body and soul. Since Sunday, I have experienced emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion because of an event that had occurred. Normally, I spend either Saturday or Sunday as a day of rest in order to prepare myself… Continue reading Sometimes, you just need to rest
Where it all begins One of the most beautiful passages of scripture is that of John 3:18-21. Jesus is conversing with Nicodemus. In this conversation, we are intimately taught that Christ is the light that has come into the world. Yet, many of us rather remain in the darkness, avoiding the light. Because we remain… Continue reading Deep Inner Work is the Heart of Christian based Recovery
A codependent focuses on others and their problems to such an extent that the codependent's life is often adversely affected. ~ The Red Book, Adult Children of Alcoholics, pp. 6-7 ~ We have seen and felt the sting of unpleasant power of unhealthy and toxic relationships. When we take upon ourselves the burden and responsibility… Continue reading The Power of Healthy Relationships
Sometimes we want to give up. Simply throw in the towel and walk away. We want to quit pursuing our dreams. Frustrated at the many challenges that appear to be barriers to us accomplishing our goals. Feeling inadequate and empty. Giving up is a personal issue we all face in our lives. Occasionally, a particular meme… Continue reading Don’t do this one thing in order to move forward in life
Imagine you are walking along a very narrow path. The forest is thick and dark. As you struggle your way along the path, you notice a possible clearing up ahead. In haste, you rush along the path. The clearing becomes more and more welcoming. At last, you take your last step out of the darkness… Continue reading Nature and Power of Belief and Hope
When my daughter was younger, she'd love to watch Veggie Tales. I had a copy of one of her favorite VT videos. The title: Larry Boy and Fib from Outer space. The premise of the story line focused on dishonesty vs. honesty. Each time Jr. Asparagus told a lie, Fib grew larger and larger. At the… Continue reading Nature and Power of Honesty
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the name of the Lord from a pure heart ~ 2 Timothy 2:22, ESV ~ Making one's journey through recovery requires a right way of living. A true pilgrimage through the process is one where an individual strives… Continue reading A Right Way of Living
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ~James 3:13, ESV~ As we engage in our journey through recovery, wisdom is the guiding light that helps us live a life free from substance use. Where does this wisdom come from? It comes… Continue reading Becoming Wise
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace ... ~ Ephesians 2: 13 - 14 ESV ~ Recovery from substance use is not about establishing abstinence. True recovery begins when we discover peace through our discovery of… Continue reading At Peace with Your Purpose
One of the challenges a person experiences in early recovery is the shift in perception. As a moderately seasoned counselor, a handful of patients struggle with the understanding of their need to focus on the internal decay ongoing substance use has caused. Instead, they are more focused on changing people, circumstances, or particular events. Their… Continue reading New Beginnings
As a moderately seasoned counselor, one of the frustrating aspects of working with individuals suffering from substance use is the lack of motivation and engagement in their treatment and recovery. I become frustrated because they appear to be unmotivated, and underachieving. In my attempt to work with these individuals I am experiencing some consternation. This… Continue reading The Mystery of the Unmotivated patient
See that ye love one another....learn to impart one to another ~ Doctrine and Covenants 88:123 ~ As we continue our journey through recovery, standing a little taller each day, we come to realize that part of our recovery is to restore family relationships. Because of our active substance use, we want to rely on… Continue reading Family relationships
There is a deep rooted problem in society today. It appears that many people in our society has lost the art of speaking kindly to one another. Sure, there are probably small pockets of decent humanity where the art of speaking kindly is a delicatessen. However, in general, we seemed to have forgotten the importance… Continue reading The lost art of speaking kindly
With the increase, and awareness, of the opioid crisis there is also the ever-increasing number of people coming into recovery and treatment. We must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way to wholeness and peace. Each person stand in need of three things for recovery to, not only be… Continue reading Three things individuals need in recovery
Healing is a matter of time, but sometimes it is a matter of opportunity ~ Hippocrates ~ One's journey through recovery is a powerful healing process that exists among those faithful, courageous, and committed to change. This does not happen overnight. As much as we want to find a quick solution to a deep spiritual… Continue reading The healing power of recovery
The first week of 2018 is almost closing out. How far along in your new year's resolution changes have you fully committed too? It is not too late to make necessary steps toward change. It begins with making an honest commitment to begin moving towards intention, purpose, meaning, and conscious living. Make 2018 all about… Continue reading The year of cultivation for a new life
Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. ~ Alma 5:28 ~ We are required to strip ourselves from pride. If we do not, we are not able to surrender our life and will over to a higher power. This begins by making… Continue reading Work and purpose of recovery
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This simple prayer is recited in the rooms of all sober support meetings. A prayer of peace, courage, and wisdom from one's higher power. For some, it is… Continue reading Be a little better today
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another ~ Romans 14:19, KJV All of us who come to the gate of recovery also come to face the reality of how destructive our lifestyle, while under the enslavement of our substance use, became. We deal with the… Continue reading A sense of peace in recovery
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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