Real Recovery

Often times we can feel so lost and off track, yet also have no idea where to turn or what to do to change things. It wasn't until Mike was challenged by his brother to get into the Word of God that things started to change.

*This program originally aired on February 7, 2021 Former professional baseball right fielder and author, Darryl Strawberry, joins Bill and George to talk about his early exposure to addiction, the lure of fame and drugs, and the powerful recovery and healing found in a relationship with Christ.

Growing up without a "normal family" upbringing can often times lead down a road of destruction. Mindy was constantly chasing after the thing that was so elusive, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what that was. When God's sweeping, overwhelming love finally appeared in front of her everything began to change and she started to see the purpose of her whole journey.

*This program originally aired on January 24, 2021 Colby Eldredge , Men's Director of re:generation at Watermark Church in Dallas, shares his story of going from chasing success through a lucrative career and beautiful girlfriend to surrendering his pride and chasing after God and his regenerative love.

Chasing after what our world has to offer can be very appealing and attractive to many. JoJo thought she had everything she could ever dream of, but the Lord kept working on her heart. It wasn't until she made a complete lifestyle shift, that she found the peace that only comes when you make the decision to latch onto Jesus.

Tim Walsh, Senior Vice President at  Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge , joins Bill and George to have an in-depth conversation about recovery and some of the dangers of the over-medicalization of addiction. Tim says, "The best recovery, is the one you will do."

*This program originally aired on December 6, 2020 The culture of Billy's early career was one of partying and drug use. When he made a career change, he took the opportunity to fund his addiction. But God continued to pursue him.

Tim Walsh, Senior Vice President at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge , joins Bill and George to have an in-depth conversation about recovery and some of the dangers of the over-medicalization of addiction. Tim says, "The best recovery, is the one you will do."

Being addicted to people can lead to many outcomes, while being accepted by violent people can place you on the wrong path. The bad decisions eventually caught up with Billy Ballenger and put him in a place where he was fitting for freedom and a chance to start over - but God would not forsake him.

Being addicted to people can lead to many outcomes, while being accepted by violent people can place you on the wrong path. The bad decisions eventually caught up with Billy Ballenger and put him in a place where he was fitting for freedom and a chance to start over - but God would not forsake him.

Turning to alcohol to ease the pain when things go wrong is something many can relate to. For Deryl Glaze, things really didn't begin to shift until he realized things that require change take time to achieve and that he couldn't have success without Christ.

Alcohol, pornography and marijuana filled the void and gave the feeling of affirmation that Troy wanted so much when he was seeking acceptance. While the enemy's lies continually tried to push him over the edge, Jesus had a greater purpose in store.

Being surrounded by a cycle of addiction growing up causes many to follow that pattern themselves, even if that wasn't their intention. The Lord answered Theresa Eastman's desperate prayer and gave her direction on how to reach the people on the reservation with the radical love of Jesus.

*This program originally aired on March 29, 2020 Bill and George consider the role humility plays in recovery.  Then, hear the incredible testimony of Jay who went from running with a gang to ministering to addicts as a pastor.

Disfunction and traumatic experiences seemed to come one after another for Peggy Isakson growing up. Later when the chaos of life became too stressful to handle, she turned to drinking to try to cope with it all. Allowing God to take over her life and not just save her was the catalyst for the change to begin.

*This program originally aired on November 1, 2020 Shane grew up experiencing loss, bullying and loneliness. He turned to drugs and gangs which led to prison. That's where he experienced the love and presence of God through the book of John.

Many of us can become very fixated on our body image, and it even can slowly turn into being an idol in our life. Shawn Maves got drawn to bodybuilding at a young age and it wasn't until he learned that God has our hearts set on eternity that things began to turn around.

*This show originally aired on December 13, 2020 Bill and George review each step, how they fit together, and the key difference between Christian 12 step programs and their secular counterparts.

No matter how far we go astray or how often we fall back into sin, God still pursues us. Isabelle built a belief that everyone in her life would eventually leave her and this led to her continued using, but Christ still had a greater plan in store.

Like so many have experienced, a diagnosis starts a pain medication treatment and it can go off the rails from there. Some are fortunate enough to get to the place of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. This was the case for Janessa and now God is doing a new thing ( Isaiah 43:18-19 ) in her life, by giving her purpose in Honduras .

*This show originally aired on September 13, 2020 From 16 shots in 9th grade and asking for forgiveness every week at church, to proving that he wanted to be sober and have a relationship with Christ, Jake's story is an honest story. Highlighting Christ's redemption, grace, and mercy even when things get out of hand.

Once we give it a foothold, our brain can begin to control our decision making and overtake us in some instances. This was the case for Janet, as she struggled with being honest about her drinking problem. But eventually creating a plan to stick to every day made all the difference and led her in the right direction.

The search for acceptance is one that many of us struggle with and this was no different for Rolando growing up. A tough upbringing and lack of a support system led him down a winding road, but when a few people at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge refused to give up on him everything changed.

Rev. Carl Johnson (Pastor at Faith City Church in St. Paul) felt a calling at a very young age to be a preacher, but it took a long time to put this plan in action. He got involved with gangs, selling drugs, found himself homeless, and in prison multiple times and despite all of that God still had a greater plan in store.

*This show originally aired on August 23, 2020 Scott started drinking liquor at age nine. Then lost his dream in an accident; it just got worse. Listen to a miracle unfold as Scott radiates the impact church played in turning his life around in recovery.