Words from book inspirational

To the Editor:

A dear Christian friend of mine recently sent me a book, "Living the Cross Centered Life," by C.J. Mahaney, and I just wanted to share what an awesome read it is.

My second time through it, "this time with a highlighter," and more slowly, I've come across some very powerful principles.

In Chapter 2, "The Divine Order," "What you feel (verses) what is real," hit me on a new plateau and God gave an increase of some things that are helping me immensely, which I'd like to share with the community, and I quote, "Our common tendency is to habitually begin with the internal, the subjective, the experimental, then use those feelings and impressions to determine what will accept as being objective fact We let our feelings tell us what's true, instead of letting truth transform our feelings."

"When we focus first on truth, lo and behold, feelings follow! And they'll be reliable feelings because they're anchored in truth."

John 8:31 automatically jumped at me when I read this when Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

I personally am learning to base all my decisions on truth and it feels good in making the choices that are grounded in the word ... it eliminates fear, bad consequences and trouble.

I was recently moved to a different job, a better one, and so I am surrounded by new faces, and people I don't know.

As you must know, I am an addict, and as of late, drugs are rampant among me, around me and it's been offered over and over to the point of frustration, but I stay grounded in truth, in God's word.

Basing my decisions to say no on the, "reap what you sow," principle that Jesus taught is in fact a decision grounded in truth.

If I walk in the flesh, I will reap death and destruction, but I walk in the spirit, life and peace!

Celebrate Recovery has taught me to use God's biblical principles as well as great books, like "Living the Cross Centered Life," and I just wanted to share with you what works for me.

Living in the truth, and staying in the spirit involves constantly keeping our minds focused on the cross and if you're struggling with anything today, try to not focus on your feelings, but on the truth of your circumstances, then making the right decision should come easy knowing in your heart that you overcame and did the right thing.

It's awesome to feel free inside. God bless,

Shawn Weddle,

Greencastle