First of all, I’d like to say hello from all of us at Open Homes and thank you for your interest in what we do. I’m assuming that if you’re reading this you have something drawing you to the subject of addiction recovery. Since this is our first blog post, I feel I should lay some groundwork regarding our most basic views. Some of these might go against what you believe or think, and that’s ok. There is always room for discussion, especially on a subject that is so personal, and in many cases, subjective.

Our views come from decades of experience in caring for, teaching, ministering to, and praying for men struggling with a compulsion that in their eyes seems so overwhelming that they will never be able to live normal lives. It is this lie, as well as countless others, that can bring someone to a state of depression and hopelessness that if not addressed, might keep them in their addiction until they are physically or mentally dysfunctional, or worse. In fact, for many struggling every day with an addiction, death seems like a much better alternative. Open Homes is dedicated to helping men break free of their addictions through living Christian lives. And now for those basic views…

First and foremost, we believe that the only way to the Father is through the Son. (John 14:6) We believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, as our Lord and Savior. We believe that Jesus Christ, after being crucified, dead, and buried, was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. It is because of this that the sins of all who truly believe in Him are forgiven. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, available to every believer, that gives us the strength, authority, and power to live Christian lives in this dark world. This above all else, gives us the opportunity to live our lives free of the strongholds that once threatened to destroy us.

Next is a view that is fundamental to Christianity. The Bible tells us “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17; NIV) It’s obvious that addiction is bondage. Anyone who has experienced the overwhelming compulsion to do something, whether it’s taking drugs, drinking alcohol to excess, watching pornography, gambling, surfing the internet, playing video games, etc., knows quite well what that bondage is like. With drugs and alcohol there is also the fact that once you are addicted, if you try to abstain, extreme physical sickness follows. The pain of this will usually weaken you to use again just to ease the pain of the sickness. In some cases, if unattended, that sickness can even lead to death.

There are many things that can lead to addiction. I will be addressing many of them in future posts. However, in spite of how hopeless life may look to someone that is suffering with addiction, there is hope. That hope is in Jesus Christ. There is freedom from not only the addictions, but from the things that lead to addiction and relapse. “What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27; NIV).

I think that’s enough for now. I am looking forward to writing these weekly posts and reading your comments, so come back often and let us know what you think. You can also follow us on Facebook at Open Homes Fellowship. Until next time, may God bless you and guide you in all things.