my careless contagion

This is a new song, and it's pretty good. It sounds older than its release date of 2023. It got a lot of airplay, I didn't like it at first, but after about 10 listens it started to make sense (I may be a little slow). So much of country music is about drinking (thumbs down), but let's go with that for this post. Since I likely won't still be writing here regularly after the 28th, this is a good time for the annual sobriety post.  It was April 10 years ago when I stopped drinking. Every year I memorialize what God did in my heart then. It's nothing short of a miracle. It's a miracle I function. A miracle I'm still alive. I'm literally a walking miracle, and people walk by me like I'm some ordinary Joe. They have no idea.  A decade without drinking is a curious thing. It was supposed to kill me. Like I got a get-out-of-jail-free card. A new lease on life. A new life, new identity, new responsibilities. Alcohol was my way of ending myself, and slowly. ...

Nine years ago this month I gave up alcohol, which I believed God told me to do. That obedience spawned many blessings — blessings which I am still counting today as they multiply. In case you're wondering why I chose the above photo for this post, it's because I liked it. Yes, I know it has nothing to do with my testimony, but it gives me warm fuzzies and so does this post.  Yes, this blog is mostly dormant now. I wrote a lot here over the course of more than five years. (Nearly 600 posts!) But, I can't miss this opportunity to thank and praise God for the freedom from alcoholism, which is something that plagued my family line and snared me for the better part of 16 years. I know the reasons I started drinking and how my mental, physical, and spiritual health suffered as a result of using alcohol to deal with situations. It's amazing the toll it took on me, though. Alcohol clearly made my life worse. It numbed me for a short time, but it made my life worse.  Do I still...

"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die." - Psalm 79:11 I want to relate what happened Wednesday night (Dec. 15). I consider this a testimony of God's power, protection, and love. It may frighten some readers. That is not my intention. Sometimes we have to see the power of the enemy and how God triumphs over it in order to deepen our faith. I praise God for His protection.  I was on day three of a fast to break whatever is preventing me from moving forward in multiple ways in my life. I was praying for victory. The day went well. My son was sick, so I spent the day watching TV with him. At one point we went for a walk, as it was 65 degrees but knew a storm was coming later. Everyone was in good spirits. My son was getting better and eating food like a horse. He took a bath, and then it was my turn.  I read my Bible (including Psalm 79) and another book while in the bath. Nothi...

Bad Religion's album No Substance was released about this time in 1998. The album was followed by a tour similar to how the band started: small venues with lots of young kids packed in. They said they wanted a more intimate experience like the old days. I saw Bad Religion that year at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I recall the band hanging out in the bar afterward, watching hockey and talking to fans. I'd say the band got the intimacy they desired. And I got to see a show I still remember even at the hoary age of 43.  I also recall feeling strangely old, wistful, and, frankly, sad before and after watching the band. Okay, watching isn't exactly the right word. You have to be an active participant at a Bad Religion show. You don't simply watch them play. You sing along. You mosh if you want (I was, perhaps, one body away from the band at this show). But you don't idly watch a punk rock show. You get thrown around. It's youthful fun.  Living in Bowling Gre...

    *When most kids were into New Kids on the Block or Madonna, or even Milli Vanilli, my favorite musician was Steve Green. I thought he had a wonderful, God-given talent and used it accordingly. I was a kid. I could listen to the radio. But I liked Steve Green. Before my great falling away (when I was so discouraged at the age of 17), my heart burned for God. I wanted to know Him more than anything or anyone. I read my children's Bible and I loved the stories; they just came alive to me. I also struggled with so many childhood fears. Reading my Bible assured me that God had the answer to my fears. My childhood was not good, but I knew God could make the most out of my life. I read so many other books about God because our church had a wonderful bookstore. And, my mom was the most voracious reader I had ever seen, so we had a considerable library of books about the Christian walk. I thought I had a good idea of what God had planned for my life. Then a s...