#123 - Are They Ready or Not? (CJ McMurry and Dr. Shaw)

Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." [1] How to discern someone's readiness and willingness to participate in addiction ministry? Dr. Mark E. Shaw and CJ McMurry discuss Psalm 51:17 in its own biblical context, and also apply these truths to wisely assessing someone's readiness to enter addiction programming -- whether that is residential or non-residential. Mark is the President and Founder of The Addiction Connection, and also serves as the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence,  KY. Guest CJ McMurry is the Program Director at one of TAC's listed residential programs called The Refuge in Winterset, Iowa. He is also a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. Learn more about The Refuge. Find more addiction residential programs at https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ How can program leaders assess someone's readiness (godly vs. worldly sorrow) How did CJ see this in his own heart when he was looking for help for his own addictive struggles? Right motivations vs. wrong motivations for seeking help. Primary vs. Secondary reasons to seek help. In what ways are people sometimes blinded to their own reasons that are motivating them? Why are the people of the local Body of Christ vital in our growth as a Christian? What is the importance of residential programs emphasizing that they are only meant to be temporary places of protection? What makes Mark Shaw recommend The Refuge in Winteset, Iowa, as a program for residential help for addiction? How can we be realistic in how we observe behavior and continue to serve those who are caught in addiction? Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands is a book by Paul David Tripp that CJ mentions as he explains how to be faithful in ministering to those with sin struggles. Mark closes with John 9:35-41, which says, "Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains." (ESV) [1] [1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.