Turtle Pulse-Check: Turbulent Times & The Need to Surrender

I am now past the six month point in the Battle for Purity and suddenly things seem to be getting harder.
—
Last week was series of stumbles for me. It began with masturbation while my wife was out-of-town. This was accompanied by fantasizing to images of women in my head. The bottom-line requirements [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check: Coming Home

I am sitting at the airport in Las Vegas waiting to catch my flight home.  I don’t have too much time, but I wanted to take a moment and express my gratefulness for a clean visit to Las Vegas.
When I was on the road two weeks ago I struggled and had my second slip in [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check: Back on the Path

The question isn’t whether we can avoid falling down.  No the real question is What will you do after you fall down?  Will you get up again?  Will you get back on the path and keep walking forward?
If nothing else, do you have the courage to crawl?
I am not happy that I slipped this [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check: Daily Bread

Give us each day our daily bread.
+Luke 11:3
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that I need,
or I shall be full, and deny you,
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or I shall be poor, and steal,
and profane the name of my God.
+ Proverbs 30:8-9
Lately this turtle has been feeling stressed over finances.  I [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check (9/10)

Today this turtle feels somewhat adrift.  It has been over two weeks since I last met with the Purity Platoon and I am feeling a little disconnected from the Battle.  I feel a little lonely and a little isolated.  I had forgotten how important the element of fellowship is to maintaining a healthy struggle for [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check (06/25)

There seems to be a lot going on in this turtle’s world right now.  There is the deepening sense of freedom and vitality that is growing out of the battle for purity.  There is also a sense of isolation and loss as I realize how much time I spend alone (and the remorse that come [...]

Read Full Post »

Purity Platoon – Report from Week 6

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

This week’s meeting of the Purity Platoon focused on adding to the practical aspects of having accountability partners. We focused on “the rear guard,” anticipating and planning for dangerous situations,
and being more specific in our check-ins.
In this instance, “the [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check (5/14)

I have been enjoying a very good week.  I am sober and happily engaged in the Battle for Purity.  I am mostly caught up at work.  I am still tired in the evenings.  My knee still hurts and I have dropped out of the Stillwater Marathon.
But mostly I am happy and grateful. It turns [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check (5/10)

Just a quick note to reflect on my mood.  I have to say that I am feeling some of that “let down” today.  The Battle for Purity has been a very high-energy experience over the past week.  It has been a great experience to be meeting with other men every day and pledging ourselves to [...]

Read Full Post »

Turtle Pulse-Check (4/24)

I seem to be thriving in the midst of incredible busy-ness.  Every day and night this week has been packed.  Sunday night and Tuesday night were dress rehearsals for Anything Goes (I am playing trombone).  Wednesday night was Emma’s dance recital.  Thursday night was Emma’s variety show and a full run of Anything Goes.  Tonight [...]

Read Full Post »