NACR Daily Meditation for Thursday, Dec 19, 2002

19 Dec 2002 08:00:02 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Thursday, Dec 19, 2002

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If I go to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you
are there.

Psalm 139:8

Sometimes life is hell. That's how it feels. It feels like we have taken
up residence in hell. Sometimes the darkness overwhelms us. Sometimes we
hurt so much that we can't imagine experiencing joy or peace ever again.
Sometimes we seem to have 'made our bed ' in a place that God has deserted,
a place from which God has turned away.

But the psalmist says 'even if I make my bed in the depths, you are there'.
There are no genuinely God-forsaken places on our journey. There are no
places unfamiliar to God. It is a difficult and painful journey, but our
lines of support are not stretched thin. God is not at a distance. God is
with us.

If God is with us, we can travel through those dark times in recovery, those
times in hell. If God is with us, we can hold on through the difficult emotional
and spiritual roller coaster of recovery. 

No matter where I am, Lord
you are with me.
If I am up, today.
You are here.
If I am down.
You are here.
If I am very, very down.
You are still here.
If I am very, very, very, very, very down.
You are here.
Thank you. 
Even in the terrible times when I am in the depths, you are there with me.
Your presence is a ray of hope
in the dark times of my recovery.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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ROOTED IN GOD'S LOVE (the book from which these meditations are taken, is back in print! To order call our office at 714-529-6227 ext 111 or order online at

http://www.nacronline.com/dox/store/dox/nacrbooks.htm

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Meditations from previous days can be viewed at:  

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Plan now to join us at STEPS 2003, a national conference for Christians in recovery jointly sponsored by the NACR and Overcomers Outreach. It will be held June 26-28, 2003 in Southern California. Plenary speakers are Steve Arterburn, David Stoop, Rich Buhler, Sandra Wilson, Mark Laaser and Ann Kiemel Anderson. Over 45 workshops. Support groups. Specialized gatherings. And lots of fellowship and support for your recovery. Details as they become available and online registration will be at:

 http://www.nacronline.com/dox/steps2003.htm

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