I rub my eyes.  I hear it again.  I thought it was part of a dream.  It wasn't.  There's someone outside my door knocking. I look at the clock. It's 6:30am.  

 

I get up, my hair a haystack, my eyes barely focusing and I look through the peephole.  It's a guy, probably in his mid twenties.  He's looking back and forth and seems really lost.  I open the door, the chain still in place.  "What's up?" I ask.  He gives a sigh of relief.  "Oh, sorry, didn't mean to wake you.  Um....can you get me some breakfast?"  I close my eyes, shake my head, not lost in the randomness of it all and say, "Do I know you?"  "No", he answers.  "Yours is the seventh door I've knocked on.  You're the first to answer."

 

I think of my night. I think of all that I've been reading.  This new person that I'm going to try and be.  "OK," I say.  "Give me a minute."

 

I meet him outside in five and we head down to the diner across the street.  His name is Darren, he's been on the street for months and can't make ends meet.  No family that he remembers.  He's alone.   He orders pancakes, eggs & bacon.  I get a cup of coffee and ask, "What's next for you?"  "Not sure," he says, "I think I may try to catch a bus to another city.  See what that brings."  He rolls his sleeves up before he starts to eat and I can't help but notice the scars.  "Hey", I ask.  "How long have you been using."  "Oh, this? It's nothing.  I've got it under control.  A little here and there never hurt anyone."  "Yes, it does." I declare, "It hurts everyone. You have to stop."  He gets up before he's taken a bite and says, "Thanks for breakfast but I've got to run." "No!"  I shout. "Seriously, you need some help.  Let me help you."  

 

This is new for me.  I've never offered to help a stranger before.  Never offered to do much of anything unless I was getting something in return.  His eyes look down.  "Listen," I say. "I'm rolling through town but I have today.  Let me take you somewhere and work on getting you cleaned up. There is hope for you.  

 

He sits down.  We talk more. I hear his story.  We finish breakfast and I head back to grab my bag from my room.  I toss it into my car and give the Bible that was in the nightstand to him. "I just started reading this," I said. "It's changing things."  He laughs.  "No," I say, "it really is. There's something to it."  

 

I search on my phone for a local recovery group and find one that meets at a church at noon today.  Darren and I head out.  "What's in it for you," he asks.  I shake my head, "Nothing," I answer.  "I'm on a bit of a journey right now and this seems to be where I'm supposed to be today. With you.  Helping you."  I tell him my story, tell him everything.  He listens. It's good to share it again. To talk through it again.

 

We get to the church and I walk inside with him.  Carrie greets us with a warm smile.  I introduce myself and let her know that I just met Darren.  She's going to bring him inside and have him meet with everyone else.  They have rooms at the church.  He can stay there.  I tell her whatever the cost is, I'll cover it.  We exchange information and they walk through the door.  Darren turns to me before he goes and says, "Thanks.  I don't know why I knocked on your door this morning but sometimes things just happen."  "I don't think so, not this time." I reply "We were meant to find each other.  God's taking care of both of us on this day.  Get clean, go, live and be the man that you're supposed to be.  I'll check in on you from time to time and let's stay in touch."   He smiles, holds up the Bible that I gave him and waves.  He walks through the door into another life.

 

There is Hope.  Today is about hope.  It's about the message of hope that Jesus brings.  Read the devotional below for a better understanding of the song and what it means to me.  It's about hope from addictions.  If you think that you're not an addict, think again. We're all in this. You don't have to be addicted to drugs or alcohol to be an addict. You may be addicted to social media, food, pride, porn.  I don't know what your addiction is but the point of all of this is to lay that addiction at the feet of Jesus and say, "Father, I can't do this alone and i need Your help."  Do that today.  Listen to the song, read the devotional below, read the lyrics below & then pray.  Pray for hope.  

 

Addicts need love too. Addicts are people too. If you know someone struggling with addiction.  First of all, tell them that you love them, give them a hug and then reach out to us.  We'll help you find help.  Reach out to your local church, they'll help you find help.  But...just get help.  God has more in store for you then the life you're leading now.

 

If you're an addict, struggling with an addiction to heroin or any other kind of drug, there's a link below.  Reach out to us, we'll help you find someone who can help.  

 

Prayers for all of us as we surrender our addictions to Jesus.

 

Take a minute and check out the videos below.  These are behind the scenes videos from the recording sessions.  We had a good time recording this one.  I loved sharing the story with everyone and letting them know that they are part of something bigger than the song.  Bigger than the album.  There's a bigger story here and it was amazing to see everyone step up their game as they played their part in the song.  Huge thanks to everyone involved.  You are all amazing.

 

Hope you find hope in the midst of your struggle.

I step out of the door of the church and the sun shines on my face. I feel it's warming rays and close my eyes.  I exhale.  Look around and start seeing things for the first time.  There are families walking in a park across the street.  Playing. Enjoying the time together.  A couple sits on a bench and talks.  When was the last time I did that?  I can't remember.

 

I take a walk through the park and enjoy the scene.  Is this what life is supposed to be?  There's this race that I've been running that doesn't work anymore.  I like this.  I like the idea of slowing down a little and paying attention to the details.  The little things that equate to big things in the lives of other people.  I think of all the time I've lost with my kids.  I know they love me but I haven't been the greatest father to them.  This is something that I need to change.  That I will change.  

 

I sit on a bench and watch as a dad flies a kite with his son.  He holds him in his arms as the boy holds the string that holds the kite.  The wind is supporting it and forcing it higher and higher into the deep blue sky above.  I think back on all that Paul said about who God is.  I think back on what I read last night in John.  How this God above will not abandon us or leave us.  He's always there.  Not above but with us.  Here.  He's always been here, I've just been too busy with me to see Him.  That changes today.

 

Tomorrow I'll be in Arizona.  With Sarah.  With the kids.  I need to change all of this.  Need to start over.  I need to hold my son and my daughter and let them know that I won't abandon them.  Need to show my wife that things are different.

 

I call my office.  Tell my boss that it's over.  I'm not coming back.  They don't understand. I don't expect them to.  

 

I can see the sun setting over the hills in the west.  I get in my car and drive.  Tomorrow.  It all comes down to tomorrow.  I find myself praying.  Not even sure what to say but just praying.  Talking to God in my car as this ball of light rolls down the highway.  It all comes down to tomorrow.

 

It's Day 10.   Today.  We talk about our abandonment issues.  Our doubt.  Our struggles.  Our need and want for Jesus.  The chorus of this song truly wraps it up..."You're all I need, I still believe, You're never gonna leave me, You'll never abandon me."

 

I remember when we were recording this it started out as a Hall & Oates kind of midtempo song, then Scotty got a hold of it and this is where it landed.  I love it.  Again, a bit of a throwback to the eighties with just the right amount of rock and roll.  The bridge is a total roller skating rink vibe.  I love the lyrics in that section:

Through the wind and fire, through the chaos and storms

To the ends of the earth, through the roses and thorns

through the deepest nights where the darkness hides

to the depths of my soul I will bravely go

 

Check the devotional below as we dive a little deeper into this but just know that today, God's not leaving.  There is no abandoning going on here.  Enjoy the day!