Have you ever had a mountain top experience and the bottom seems to fall out? When these "downers" occur we seem to wonder if the victory we had was real and lasting. We wonder, "What am I missing?" You are not abnormal and these moments do not mean you didn't "get it." The first step of a downer is subtle. In this episode, Dr. John and Mark discuss the steps and dangers of a downer and how to get back up! John discusses how a downer isn't the same as Bipolar and how victory is a person, not a program. The guys discuss how the blood of Jesus covers what we do and the cross covers what we are. Even amid a downer, we are still in Christ. The Victor is in us! No matter what, we must maintain hope and set our minds to the fact that He will fulfill His purpose in and through us.

Books

Life in Christ Notebook: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/life-in-christ-a-personalized-discipleship-notebook

In this episode, Dr. John and Mark interview Cherri, a Guide Counselor and Life Coach with GFI. Cherri shares how her great-grandfather started "Whosoever Gospel Mission" in Philadelphia in 1892. In 1897, he started the Colony of Mercy, which is one of the oldest Christian addiction ministries in America and the world. In 1924, he launched America"s Keswick in New Jersey. Cherri's family has been involved in the ministry but she shares how she had a distorted identity. She felt like she had not done enough or was not good enough for God to love her. She states her life was all about do, do, do, and she struggled to see how God could accept her. She says, "I thought God was on the throne with His arms crossed just shaking His head at me." Cherri describes the difference between guilt and shame. Cherri has 5 kids and 2 of them struggled with addiction. This led her to start "Love Them to Life" in 2013. Cherri has authored 2 books. The first, "Beside Still Waters" was birthed from the need for curriculum. "Set Free" is a deeper work designed for education and hope. Cherri ends hoping all who listen will accept their acceptance. When you do, she says, the shackles begin to fall off. "It is Jesus living in me, through me, and as me!"

If you or someone you know, struggles with addiction, please reach out to GFI or contact one of the ministries listed below. https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/

Links:

America's Keswick, Colony of Mercy, and Barbara's Place: https://americaskeswick.org/

Whosoever Gospel Mission: http://www.whosoevergospel.org/wp/

Love Them to Life: https://lovethemtolife.com/

Books

Beside Still Waters: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/beside-still-waters-discovering-peace-in-the-midst-of-your-child-s-addiction

Set Free: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/set-free

GFI

Counseling: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling/

Coaching: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/coaching/

To learn more about guide certification: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling-certification/

In this episode, John and Mark unpack the opening lines of the podcast intro. We discuss what is eternal life, what it means that we are born in the line of Adam, and what it means that we are new creations in Christ. To illustrate, we discuss a diagram called the "Line Diagram." Here are links to download the GFI App, which contains the diagram:

App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6446342103Here is Google Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplashconsulting.s_S8HP79

Being "in Christ" is the key. Because Christ is our Lord and Savior, He offers to us His life as our life. Who you were in Adam, was canceled on the cross. Episodes 6-9 are good reminders to relisten to what we mean when we say that you are crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and resurrected. In Christ, we have a new past, a promising future, and a powerful present. Your past no longer identifies you and if we identify with our hangups, then we live in defeat. In Christ, we share His victory. Dr. Solomon states, "We must become in experience, who we already are in position." Episode 16 will review the difference between surrender and passivity. Our responsibility is divine cooperation, not self-effort. Do not miss Dr. John's pun at the end of the podcast!

Books

Exchanged Lives by Dr. Best: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/exchanged-lives

Links

GFI Counseling: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling/

GFI Coaching: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/coaching/

If you are interested in learning more about the new GFI Church Partnership, please email Mark@gracefellowshipinternational.com

www.GraceFellowshipInternational.com