Restoration

This publication is the refinement of over 15 years of working in the area of ministry commonly referred to as recovery. As a pastor and scholarly practitioner in the field of education, I have worked with hundreds of individuals, families, and organizations in the battle against alcohol and drug addiction as well as other idols of the heart. It has become clear to me that any type of addiction can become the idol of the heart that separates us from a right relationship with God. Consider the strong warnings throughout the Bible and this succinct position found in Colossians chapter three beginning in verse five: Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. God has warned us about the consequences of idolatry and in His mercy provided a way of escape through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:8-11). There are basic Biblical principles that comprise the heart of the Restoration Course, which follows this introduction. The key elements for living a successful Christian life are found in the beginning of the New Testament Church. Specifically, the Book of Acts provides the foundation for this manual and the success is continuing to grow in the second decade of work my wife, Paula, and I are doing in churches.