Freedom NEWSLETTER Brought to you by New Life Spirit Recovery               February, 2009    Volume 1, Issue 2   In this Issue:   A Word from the Director: Who is Really in Control?   Alumni Events   Struggles Are Blessings   Survival Guide for the Family Member   Family and Parenting: A Look at How to Reopen a Child’s Closed Spirit     Points of View & Perspectives: Just Do It, Steps In the Snow   Personal Testimonies   Find a Meeting         A Word from the Director: Who is Really in Control? by Dr. Robert T. Tucker   We are living in very interesting times. Every day we are given a grim perspective of the future. The economy, we are told, is failing. The government, we are promised, is the only one able to rescue us. What are we to believe?   There are some vital truths that separate the followers of Jesus Christ from this world. God's Word tells us that although we live in this world, we are not of this world. (John 18:36) What does this really mean?   If you are a child of God, you are already living in a spiritual, eternal Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. It is hard to explain how we can be living in a different realm while existing on planet Earth at the same time, but in reality, that is what is happening. In the Kingdom of Heaven, God is the One in control. It is His Kingdom, and He governs it perfectly. He always has a purpose and a plan, despite the insanity of the world going on around us. When we submit our life to Him, we have His assurance that He will take care of us! He is our Father and our King, what a combination! So when we are struggling about things such as financial provision, housing, food and clothing, we must listen to what He says.  Matthew 6:31-34 says “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   Sadly, addiction doesn't turn itself off when finances are low or troubles are high. In fact, addiction kicks into high gear during trying times. I recently heard on the news that alcohol sales have jumped during this recession. This is no coincidence. We all need comfort in times of trouble. Where does your comfort come from when your world is falling apart around you?       There is a much better alternative then turning to drugs or alcohol. God tells us that all we need to do is put Him first, and He will provide ALL our needs! Ask yourself right now, how are you coping? Are you filled with anxiety and fear? Who do you believe is in control in these times we are living in? More important, do you believe God cares about the needs you have in your life? He watches you and He knows you, child of God. If you doubt that at all, read Psalm 139. Don’t' rely on the system of this world, it discourages and will ultimately fail. Look upward and place your trust in the true Leader and Ruler of the entire Universe. Make Him the Ruler of your life. He is not a violator of free will. He will not force Himself upon you, but rather waits until you truly surrender and ask Him to take charge. Then and only then will He move forward to assist with the cleaning-up of the messes we’ve made of our lives. He is the Author and Finisher of new beginnings and second chances!

Alumni News  Upcoming Alumni Events:   February 28, 2009 12:30 pm    Join us at the Atlanta House for a time of worship, testimony and baptisms. Please RSVP Bob and Amy at NLSRalumni@gmail.com     .Alumni, alumni family and friends, treatment clients, treatment client family and friends are all encouraged to attend. Pastor Bob will be sharing a special message.   Last month's alumni event was a wonderful time of fellowship and celebration. Four people submitted to the Lord and publically proclaimed their faith through baptism. We thank all our guests who attended and hope to see you again in the future.   A special thanks to 3Bob, Randall and Amy for making these events happen each month.  To learn more about our alumni events and how you can participate, please call us at 714-841-1906 or e-mail nlsralumni@gmail.com.

Struggles Are Blessing  by Dr. Robert T. Tucker Our daily struggles are actually blessings in disguise. They are God-given opportunities for emotional and spiritual growth. They are literally faith builders. The typical addict has what is known as "fight or flight" syndrome. When situations get too uncomfortable, they either react or escape, or do both. An escape is good as long as it is into God’s arms and not the local drug dealer’s.   Hopefully at some point, we learn to accept the fact that daily trials are a normal part of life, something we are powerless over and cannot change. What we can change is the way we deal with them. Learning to live life on life’s terms has many benefits.  To read full article, click here.   Survival Guide for the Family Member: Your loved one is in treatment. Now what? by Stephanie Tucker, MDAAC, MMin. Dealing with a family member’s addiction has most likely been a painful rollercoaster. You’ve reached the bottom at times, and didn’t know how you would be able to continue another day. Watching someone you love destroy his or her life through addiction can be an emotionally exhausting and extraordinarily stressful experience.To read the full article, click here Family and Parenting A Look at How to Reopen a Child’s Closed Spirit   by Roxanna Grimes, M.A. spiritual development of children, CDAAC   “A closed spirit is a major cause for the misuse of drugs and alcohol, and a primary reason why children become sexually permissive.”    Our human and sinful nature desires to control. It is an insane compulsion to try to get our needs met and feel good, while still having the perfect results to our lives. This same drive can lead a parent into the false belief that he or she can do the same thing with a child. To read full article, click here     Points of View & Perspectives This column is written by staff, alumni, or anyone who wishes to contribute. It is an individual's unique experience and perspective about recovery, but does not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of New Life Spirit Recovery. We welcome your articles. Please e-mail to nlsrnewsletter@gmail.com.    JUST DO IT! By Robert Beaupre, M.Min, CDAAC  Nike made maybe billions of dollars just by confronting us with a simple proposition. “just do it!”. They made it sound simple -  with an easy action, it would be done. We loved it for some reason! All that complicated stuff we normally go through to make a decision could be bypassed somehow by “just doing it”.To read full article, click here   STEPS IN THE SNOW Contributed by Jeff Turner Have you ever seen a snowflake glisten in the sun as it wafted gently to the ground? It is such a beautiful sight to see so many of them accumulate on the mountainside, especially if you like to ski or snowboard. To read full article, click here   Personal Testimonies These are the testimonies of actual clients who recently participated in our program and want to share their personal strength of hope. WE HAVE CHANGED THEIR NAMES TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY. We encourage all alumni or anyone who has experienced deliverance from an addiction to send us your story. E-mail to nlsrnewsletter@gmail.com     "Linda's" Story When I was asked the question "would you be willing to give your testimony"?  I must admit my first reaction was.....what?  really?  me?  are you sure? I thought  to myself, how could my story be of any interest to anyone?  I considered the wreckage of my past and the dark places I have been and honestly became filled with fear.   For full testimony, click here   "Shelly's" Story Growing up I went to church every Sunday and accepted the Lord into my heart at a very young age.  I loved the Lord and had a relationship with Him, but as I got older a gap began to form. I started to live according to my will, not His.  For full testimony, click here

Meet Our Staff New Life Spirit Recovery  Dr. Robert & Stephanie Tucker Owners/Directors Dr. Jerry Morris Consulting Physician Dr. Michael Belzman Director of Education Robert B. (3Bob) Manager Randall O. Assistant Elizabeth O. Intake Coordinator   AOD Instructors Tom K. Roxanna G. Tracy C. Stephanie T. Robert B.   Detox   Dr. Jerry & Minda Morris Owners/Medical Director   Dr. Robert & Stephanie Tucker Owners/Clinical Director   Frank I. Manager Jeff T. Detox Technician   Juliet V. Detox Technician Heath K. Detox Technician Amy W. Detox Technician Victor R. Detox Technician Dane G. Detox Technician Other Volunteers & Helpers   Sean & Missy S. Patrick S.   Kenny K.   Thank you to all our dedicated staff members.      "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you....Since you were precious in My sight,You have been honored, And I have loved you;"     Isaiah 43:1-4