From Shack to Temple Weight Loss Wednesday Reasons for Change

So I am right back up to almost 250 pounds. I just weighed 248.2 pounds. I have not only gained weight since we had the baby, I now weigh more than I did when I first started losing weight. This time, the stakes are a little different. I know that I need to curb my addiction to eating and form better eating habits, but now I have more reasons. Let's get into those reasons:

1. I have a new born daughter
2. My wife has lost 40 pounds since she had our daughter 6 weeks ago
3. My body is supposed to be a temple and looks more like a shack
4. I am 40 years old

I have a new born daughter. I have one more person to keep up with, not just my son. She will not graduate until I am 58 and will need me to play games with her, teach her how to play sports and practice with her. My son needs these things too. They also need to learn healthy eating habits, which I do not currently have. It is hard to teach something that you don't know and practice in your own life. Since I eat poorly while being obese and 40, we have a problem. Those are not the ingredients I would use if the recipe I am making is to turn into me being able to be physically active with them at least until they graduate. And then there is grand kids, but we won't even talk about them yet.

Then we have my beautiful wife, who now weighs less then she did before we met. This is the sveltest she has been since I have known her. I am the heaviest I have been since she has known me. I don't want to be walking down the street and have people wondering what the hottie is doing with the fattie! I know that is mean, but I know if we continue down the paths we are walking I will be thinking it. I expect that others would, too!

How is it that I have quit smoking cigarettes after 26 years and drugs/alcohol after doing them for 25 years, yet food is kicking my butt. I know I have been eating my whole life, but seriously I need to stop this. I am tired of having something consume my life that is not good for me. I will not be a slave to anything, whether it is drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, shopping, porn, anger  or food. I am done with this. I am controlled by no one and no thing. I pull my strings..............with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we are told that our bodies are a living sacrifice to God in Romans 12:1. My body is in no way a living sacrifice if I constantly stuff it with food. I eat to eat, I comfort eat to make me feel better. This happens particularly at night. I have found something to eat at night that will be better than what I am eating now. We will talk about that later. All I have to say is that if I can't even control what I am putting into my body how can I possibly control what is coming out of it. Time to shift my focus to Christ and rely on him for the support I am currently getting from food.

In two weeks we will talk about what it is that I am eating, my exercise routines and how it is all going as well as how my relationship with Christ is being built stronger through the process.

BLiR VLog From 09/02/2012-09/08/2012

Do Your Works Match Your Words

 

Is Relapse Part of Recovery

 

Walk the Walk

 

Keep Coming Back

 

The 5 Pillars of Recovery

 

The Garbage Theory

 

BLiR VLog 08/11 Should I Tell My Kids I Used Drugs/Drank

This time I talk about whether or not we should tell our kids we have used drugs and/or drank

BLiR VLog 08/09 Question About Using Dreams

Today I answer a question about using dreams that one of my viewers has asked.

BLiR VLog 08/07 Difference Between Recovery and Sobriety

BLiR VLog 08/08 You Never Have to Use Again

My very first VLog script and VLog

Hi, my name is David. I am going to be starting a vlog. One of my friends told me that he thought it would be a good idea, and after thinking about it I agree with him. I talk in colleges, schools, churches and communities about the dangers of addiction and the power of recovery. I often have people call me, email me, tweet me or talk to me in public with questions about the struggles either they or someone they care about are going through and what they can do to help them, or sometimes just understand what they are going through. I think that I am a great person to answer those questions. Here are the reasons why i am a great person to answer those questions. I was abused as a child and started fighting as well as using drugs and alcohol as a way to cope. I eventually ended up in prison after being on probation, house arrest and in and out of jail for several years. I have used drugs IV and was involved in the manufacturing and distribution of meth as well as many other drugs. I am diagnosed Bipolar, PTSD, generalized anxiety, antisocial personality disorder. I have attempted suicide and have died and been brought back 6 times after overdoses and car accidents. I cannot count on two hands the number of friends that I have lost to addiction. I now have 3 1/2 years of what I consider true recovery. I have a bachelors degree in psychology and sociology. I have a masters degree in social work and I work at a substance abuse facililty and drug court as a counselor. I am starting a nonprofit to go into communities and schools to let people know that there is a better life in recovery. So in this vlog I will talk about the things that have helped me in recovery as well as the things that have enabled me to go from an agnostic to a Christian and how God has changed my life in ways that I can only attempt to share. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. Put them on facebook, tweet me, email me or use the comments on youtube. I will answer all questions in a vlog for you if they are asked. I hope that you find this helpful, as I know sharing my faith and recovery will be helpful for me.

Chick-fil-A, GLAAD and Chicago......Oh My!!!

So I have been seeing all of the stuff about Chick-fil-A's owner, Dan Cathy, saying that he believes that marriage is between a man and a women and does not support gay marriage. He supports the traditional marriage of a man and a women. I am told that this is hate speech, but that puzzles me. He does not stop gay couples from eating at his restaurant. He does not stand at the door and shout slurs at gays and lesbians. He does not support what they do and he stands for something else. I do not hear hate in what he says.

Let me give you several examples from my life where I do not support something, if fact I speak out against them, and tell me if what I describe is hate:

I cannot stand drugs. I feel that there is nothing more evil than addiction. I see what it does to people's lives. I have made my life a crusade against addictions, from drugs to alcohol to cutting to eating disorders. I want to educate parents, youth, young adults, churches and communities about the dangers of addiction and the power of recovery. I am 100% against addictions. Although it has been scientifically proven that people are born genetically predisposed to it, which means they are born that way, I am still against it. I am employed fighting addiction, I am starting a non-profit to combat addiction and I spend most of my free time, money and energy in that same arena. I am anti-addiction!

I will do all that I can to fight life consuming issues and get others to join in my fight against them. Does this mean that I hate addicts, alcoholics, the mentally ill, bulimics, anorexics, convicts, etc.? Absolutely not!! I love them, although I don't agree with how they are living their lives. Due to this, I encourage them to live their lives differently. If they stay in addiction, I will never stop caring about and praying for them. To some people I guess that is hate. To me, it is caring and compassion.

Next thing I am against is obesity. I do not support obesity, although I am obese. I am trying to lose weight and want to see the body fat melt off. I can't stand it. That said, I don't hate obese people. I encourage them in their struggles, because I know how unhealthy it can be to live your life that way. But, I am against obesity and wish that all people had healthy body fat percentages. So now, all people who are obese should boycott my blog, right? I guess if you use the logic of Chicago, Boston, San Fransisco, the Muppets and Ed Helms.

Next you throw in Chicago trying to say no Chick-fil-A's in our city!! Chicago has one of the worst gang problems in the United States. Their homicide rate was up 40% from last year and they are worried about Chick-fil-A? Boston is in the bottom 11% of cities when it comes to the crime rate, yet they don't want Chick-fil-A? It seems that they have much bigger issues to deal with. How about doing more to combat gang violence?

Why do we have cities that are against Chick-fil-A, which has not killed anybody that I know of, yet they have head shops in their cities. Why are we allowing places that sell glass pipes, also known as bubbles, that are used for smoking methamphetamine and cocaine to be in business? These same places sell items that supposedly to help someone flush their system so that they can beat drug screens. They are promoting drug use!! How can you not have a problem with that? Were are your priorities at. I know where mine are!

I stand against addictions and other life consuming, life controlling, life robbing issues. I do not care if you are 12 or 80, black or white, straight or gay! I want to educate you on the dangers of using drugs. Through Better Life in Recovery I will use real people with real problems to share hope and recovery so that we can work on combating addiction. If you want to join, volunteer, share your story or donate to the cause let me know. If not, if you support addiction, if you are active in your addiction just know that I can't stand it. I hate it, but I love you and will try my best to help you!

Better Life in Recovery Update July, 2012

This is like the State of the Union, except it is the state of Better Life in Recovery (BLiR). We have a lot of things going on, both my wife, son and I as a family and with the forming of the non-profit. I just want to start off by saying that I am very blessed and above all needs I have one that is of the upmost importance. Prayer, prayer and more prayer. I feel that it is more vital to BLiR than anything else for it to be able to do what it is supposed to do and help those it is meant to help.

If you don't know what Better Life in Recovery is please go to this link and it will explain the purpose: http://www.betterlifeinrecovery.com/page2.php

First I will talk about what has been accomplished to advance Better Life in Recovery so far. We have had two people that have agreed to sit on the board once we form BLiR. We have began drafting the paperwork that is required for a non-profit. We have purchased betterlifeinrecovery.com and betterlifeinrecovery.org (they need a lot of work, but I will get to that later). We have gotten our logo completed, and here it is.

Two people have agreed to be on the board once we form the non-profit. We felt that we needed to have a meeting to let everyone know what we are doing, how far we had gotten and what our needs are. Thus was born our first preliminary meeting. It was attended by 7 people. We found that we still had a lot of work to do, and scheduled to meet again at the end of summer.

We have managed to conduct 8 interviews for the documentary. They have gone really well. It is terrifying to hear how young use started and the damage that addiction did to their lives. On the flip side it is amazing to hear what they have been able to accomplish in recovery. A trailer for the first 5 people that we interviewed was put together and here it is.

We have some very specific needs to address:

1. Prayer. Our first and foremost need is prayer as I mentioned above. 
2. We need $1,000 to file for non-profit status so that we can start fundraising seriously. 
3. Web designer to help us set up our web site. I know exactly how I want it to look but no ability to build it. We also need a Facebook page set up. 
4. Attorney - We have a lot of paperwork to draft and papers to file
5. Board member - If our dream is your passion we have a board member application for you.
6. Grant Writer - Funding for this project will be needed
7. Accountant - We need to budget and track things financially 
8. Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising - We need to spread the word and get into communities to make an impact
9. We still need volunteers between the ages of 18-25 who have struggled with addictions (drugs, alcohol, cutting, eating disorder) that are willing to share their story. We have a real need for ethnicities in this area. 
10. Parents who have had children struggle with addictions and have either overcame their addiction, are still struggling or have passed away while in addiction who would be willing to share their knowledge and expertise are also needed. 
11. Everyone - Word of mouth and fundraising. Talk about us on and in Facebook, Twitter, your local newspaper, local radio/television, your blog, etc and at your school, your church, your social clubs, civic events, PTA meetings, conferences, etc. Read below and if you can help in any way please do! 

Contact us and invite us to come and speak. We love to share about the affects of addiction and the power in recovery. I have already done some speaking this year. I have led chapel at both Global University and AGTS (Assembly of God Theological School). I speak on occasion at Missouri State University and College of the Ozarks. I have spoken at several Celebrate Recovery groups. I have also spoken at conferences and seminars. Several pastors have approached me to speak at their churches this summer about addiction and recovery in the next two months. Finally, I have been given an opportunity to plan an all day event that will be aimed at sharing hope and recovery with several town's youths, many who are struggling with addiction and parents in addiction. I did say that there was a lot going on in my family. We will cover that really quick. My wife and I will be gaining a daughter in the next month. Julie is due 4 weeks from now, on the 7th of August. Our daughter's name will be Addison Grace, and I am not sure which of us is more excited: Julie, DJ or me! (I would say me, but don't tell my wife I said that). In closing, let me try to over-promote myself one last time. Consider this the spoiler alert, there will be bold letters and lots of exclamation points: If you would like to donate your services to help us with our above mentioned needs, please contact us. If you would like to donate anything else: works of art, restaurant and other business gift certificates, hotel/motel/resort rooms and gift certificates, one day and season passes to shows/concerts/museums/amusement parks/zoos, tickets/season passes to athletic games, movie passes/gift certificates, autographed memorabilia (pictures, bats, gloves, balls, books, Cds, etc), gift baskets, martial arts lessons, massages, hair cuts, tanning, dance lessons, you have dinner with the highest bidder (works if you are a celebrity), etc for silent auctions and door prizes please contact us. Original music and music that you give us permission to use for the documentary, in our presentations and possibly a fundraiser CD would be great. We will be doing fundraisers, so sites to use and bands to play would both be needed if you can volunteer them. Politicians, radio media, television media, pastors, youth pastors, teachers, principals, school counselors, substance abuse counselors, administrators, bloggers, authors, actors, musicians, parents, students, professors......EVERY BODY AND ANYBODY, WE NEED YOU!! We are here to help and educate you. Help us by fundraising to bring us to your community and by word of mouth. We need you to speak to churches, student bodies, viewers, listeners, readers, parents and constituents. Contact us and we will do interviews and speak at any organization, event, college, school, business, club, small group and church. PLEASE SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK, BLOGS, TWITTER, ETC SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN MAKING A REAL IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTIONS SO THAT THEY CAN FIND A BETTER LIFE IN RECOVERY!!!

Better Life in Recovery - Documentary Trailer and Non-Profit Update

This is the trailer for the upcoming documentary Better Life in Recovery. We are letting people tell their stories who have struggled with alcohol, substance abuse, cutting and eating disorders. That is an incomplete list, for in the stories of all of these people you find out that there were struggles with depression, anxiety, Bi-Polar, isolation, peer pressure, childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, rape, parents/siblings who abused drugs, legal issues, not fitting in, suicide attempts, hopelessness, etc.

All of these stories have many things that are peculiar to each person, but there are also commonalities. The one common theme that we are wanting to get as many people to hear as we possibly can is that there is a Better Life in Recovery. All of the people in the documentary are Finding A Better Life Exists. They all have found hope that they want to share with others, and that hope was found after they struggled with life controlling issues and overcame them.

This is only the trailer after our first round of filming. We have filmed another round since then, and they too were very powerful stories. From dealing dope to dealing hope, people are discovering that they can gain control of their lives after thinking that they were beyond help. By sharing these stories of Real People with Real Problems we are going to make an impact. We have several more rounds of filming that will be done before editing begins.

After this documentary we will be filing another one of parents who have lost children to addiction. It will share their stories, what they have learned and statistics on youth. We are not only trying to reach our youth, but their parents and the people who interact with them as well. I am tired of seeing people die due to the consequences of their addictions and mental health, and we are going to help put an end to this with your help.

We are going to take these documentaries as well as mentor training and teaching people how to spot addiction and mental health issues before it is too late into communities. We want to reach as many people as possible, but we are going to need your help to do this!

In order for us to make an impact on as many people as possible, we have needs. So far my wife and I have fully funded this, and that has gotten a little expensive. If you can help in any way, please let me know. Here are the areas where we really need some help:

1. We need $1,000 to file for non-profit status so that we can begin fund raising to take this into communities: schools, colleges, churches, seminars, conferences, rehabilitation centers, juvenile centers, youth groups, etc
2. We need a web site designer to help us with the web design. We know what we want it to look like but do not have the expertise to create it.
3. Volunteers aged 18-25 who have struggled with alcohol, substance abuse, cutting and eating disorders and overcame them that would be willing to share their story. We are in dire need of ethnicities. 
4. Parents who have had children who have struggled with addictions and either overcame them or have passed away to share your knowledge with other parents and community members who want to make a difference so that they know what to look for and better ways to deal with struggles when they see them occurring.
5. Board Members -  Must be passionate about what we are doing and willing to introduce us to those you know who can help. If interested contact us for a board member packet so you can fill it out and get it back to us. 
6. An attorney to help us file for the non-profit and look paperwork over for us when needed.
7. An accountant to help us keep track of everything financially
8. Grant writers
9. Community leaders, politicians, administrators, parents, teachers, professors, principals, pastors and youth leaders to help get us in to begin showing the documentary presentation when completed. We are hoping to be ready by Spring or Fall of 2013. We will have questionnaires that will be filled out, pre and post, that will allow us to see if there are changes in the attitudes of those we show it to. This will help us validate why we should receive federal and foundation grants. 
10. Graphic Designers for logos, posters, pamphlets, DVD covers, etc. 
11. Internet technology to design stunning Facebook page and other social media to attract attention to the program.
12. If you would like to donate anything: works of art, restaurant and other business gift certificates, hotel/resort rooms and gift certificates, season and one day passes to shows/museums/plays/amusement parks, tickets and season passes to games, movie tickets, dance lessons, free tans, autographed books/cds/posters/dvds/musical instruments/sports memorabilia, gift baskets, massages, hair cuts, martial arts lessons, you having dinner with the highest bidder, etc for door prizes and silent auctions contact us. 
13. Original music or music that you give us permission to use for the documentaries as well as a possible fund raiser CD.
14. We need bands to donate a set or two for fundraisers. 
15. We need sites donated for a concert and silent auction.
16. Politicians, radio media, television media, pastors, youth ministers, teachers, principals, school counselors, substance abuse counselors, administrators, bloggers, authors, actors, musicians, parents and professors: WE NEED YOU!! We are here to help you and you can help us by fundraising to bring us to your community and by word of mouth. We need you to speak up to your congregations, student bodies, viewers, reasders parents and constituents. Contact us and we will gladly do interviews or talk at community events, seminars, colleges, businesses, clubs, small groups, schools and churches. Let them know what we are doing and get them our information so that they can help. My goal is for this to be the most viewed blog that I have ever written so that thousands of people hear about what we are doing. PLEASE SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, IN BLOGS, ETC.!! 

Finding a Better Life Exists in Recovery

My wife and I filmed two more people for the documentary yesterday. Both of the stories will be a major part of Spiritual Spackle. If I were to form a team to go into the church and youth groups and speak to the kids there, these would be two of the three people I have interviewed so far that I would approach to go with me. They both had an amazing story. The best part was the happiness that I saw when they spoke of where they were to where they are now. That happiness they both have is due to Jesus.

One of them grew up without God in his life. He saw his mother and father both abusing substances. He began using alcohol, marijuana and pills at 14. He was using a lot and began selling drugs so that he could continue to use. He said that the only time that he got along with his mother is when they were smoking marijuana together. His mother was often abused, and he began parenting his mother and his baby brother while still in high school. He spoke of comforting his mother, telling her that everything would be alright. He turned to drugs and fighting himself in high school. After all, it was what he knew and what he had seen his entire life.

His baby brother was taken into custody by Children's Division. He got arrested for assault. His dad went to prison. His mother continued to date drug dealers and get beat up. He began to get tired of it. He had a couple of friends that started going to church that talked to him. He knew that it wasn't for him, but he decided to give it a shot.

The day he went one of his friends got baptized, and he decided to join him. He quit drugs and alcohol on that day. Cigarettes and cussing soon followed. He moved in with the youth pastor of the church that he went to. He completed school and he is now attending leadership college at James River Assembly of God. He has been drug and cigarette free for several years now. Better news, he said that his mother checked herself into rehab several months ago and was baptized two weeks ago.

The next story was one of not meeting God until it was almost too late. He started using drugs at a young age. Smoked first cigarette at 6, because he saw his mom doing it and he thought it looked cool. Began alcohol and weed at 12. He was in an accident where the car he was in hit a school bus head on at 85 miles an hour. His back was broken, and he was told that he would not walk again. He walked again, but was addicted to pain pills.

He did those for a while, and his use intensified. He began using benzodiazepines; combined with the pain pills, alcohol and marijuana. He was in and out of jail. He was dealing to afford his habit. He went to rehab several times, but would begin using as soon as he completed them. He had become an adrenaline junkie, and enjoyed stunting bikes. One day after eating a bunch of pills and drinking he wrecked his motorcycle and ripped his ankle off. It was hanging by the achilles tendon. He was told they would have to amputate. He refused to allow it. He kept his foot, but his continued lack of regard for himself and others separated him from his family.

He had a grandmother was supporting him, and she finally told him that he was cut off. She would pay for his motel that he was living at for two more weeks, and then he was on the streets. He relates that by now he was shooting heroin and cocaine. He was 6 foot tall and weighed 120 pounds. "I would not survive on the streets of Dallas." The last day his uncle and aunt drove down from Missouri and made him an offer. Go to Teen Challenge and we will pay for it.

He went that day, and since that day has not used. He completed Teen Challenge over half a year ago. He is coming up on two years clean after never having more than a month since he was 12. He is now living in Springfield, Missouri working full-time. He has also helped several of his family members begin to build their relationships with God.

What did these two have in common. Neither of them grew up with God in their lives. They both had major struggles, found no hope and turned to drugs. They both had God sized holes in them and tried to cover those holes up with substance abuse, women, violence and dealing drugs. What they found was jail, addiction, depression and even more hopelessness. They tried secular programs and methods to stop their addictions and they always went back to using. They were taught the word of God, told that Christ died for him and that they no longer needed to live their lives as they were living them.

They have quit using. Not stopped, quit! More than that, they have grown in their lives. They have become responsible; attending college and working full-time. They have used their lives as an example, and by living them well have drawn family members into a relationship with Christ because their family wants the changes in their lives that they have seen happen in both of theirs. They are also taking not only the message of recovery but the promise of hope to youth and those struggling with life controlling issues but sharing their testimonies.

Once again, with God all things are possible. These are just two more stories to add to the mix of how truly amazing God's grace is. I love to see not just the sobriety of those who have been changed by Christ, but how their lives have changed. They have been transformed from the ground up into more positive people, living for others instead of themselves. Because of that they share their stories with others and change not only their families, but the people they come into contact with also.

What is the difference between sobriety and recovery

I have many times had to explain the difference between sobriety and recovery to many people. It seems that to many people who claim to have never struggled with an addiction of any kind, they do not understand that the two are different. In one of the secular 12 step groups that I used to attend, they had a clever way of presenting the difference. 

"If you have a drunken horse thief and you sober him up, what do you have? You have a sober horse thief."

By this example, we see that although the alcohol is gone, the criminal lifestyle is still present. I have my own ways of looking at the difference. Even though I may have stopped engaging in whatever my life controlling issue might be, I still have behaviors that I engaged in that are not right. Some call them criminal behaviors, but I would call them moral issues that arise from self-esteem issues and not feeling that I deserve respect. When I do not respect myself, how can I show respect to others. 

I may have stopped cutting myself, but I still cannot tell the truth. I may not be struggling with my eating disorder, but I still cheat every time I am in a relationship. I may not be drinking, but I am still trying to start fights with every one who looks at me as I walk by them. I may not be doing drugs, but I can't complete a sentence without dropping an F-Bomb. I may not be sleeping with multiple partners, but I cannot stop watching pornography. The list could go on and on, but you get the point. 

Some of the most unhappy, angry people that I have ever met were at a 12 Step meeting. They claimed to have 15 years of recovery, but at best they were sober. They had never over came their moral issues. They are still wallowing in self-pity and selfishness. They have never gotten over the loss of the "one true love" of their habit of choice. They still reminisce about the good old days, reliving that high and hating that they can never allow themselves to have it again. 

So what can we do. First and foremost, get the big 4. Sponsor (mentor), meetings (small groups), accountability partners and work the 12 steps (live Christ-like). Those are the 4 that always need to be present in your life. Next, learn that community service is not something that your judge or a probation officer assigns you. The longer you are sober, the more you owe back to society. Be positive by always focusing on the positives and surrounding yourself with positive people. Start off each morning by making a list of things that you are grateful for to get the day started positively. 

So, to recap

1. Sponsor
2. Meetings
3. Accountability Partners
4. Work the Steps
5. Give Back
6. Be Positive
7. Be Grateful

I did forget to add a few things, and to me these are what made the difference. I had the sponsor, meetings, accountability partners and step work. I was even giving back, but I had no positivity or gratitude. To be honest, I was pessimistic always. I was Agnostic, and it kept me from finding the hope needed to step into recovery. I was still engaging in most of my moral deficits. I only overcame them through Christ. So to the above list I would add a few more. 

1. Pray without ceasing
2. Read the Bible daily
3. Listen for the still small voice of God to guide you and you will find that it is neither still nor small!!

Remember to stay eternally optimistic and lean on God, for He is great ALL OF THE TIME! After all, I can do all things through He who strengthens me!

New Page on Site entitled "Public Speaking and Promotional Pieces"

Today I have started a new page on my Spiritual Spackle site. It consists of me giving my testimonies, speaking in public and various promotional pieces that I have done for the projects I am a part of. It is my hope that people will watch me sharing my experiences and  dealing hope through my testimony then have me come speak to their small groups, youth groups, recovery groups, at schools, colleges, churches, camps, communities, seminars, concerts and trainings. If you are interested in me coming and speaking I can be contacted at david@spiritualspackle.com or david.stoecker@gmail.com Please contact me. I want the world to see that there is a Better Life in Recovery and that the way is through a true relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am also wanting to get more people to hear about Better Life in Recovery, the non-profit that is currently forming that will take a documentary and so much more into communities, churches, colleges and schools. The documentary should be completed by May of 2012. It will have as a primary purpose teaching youth the dangers of addiction and that there is a better life in recovery from life controlling issues. It will also teach parents, teachers, pastors and professionals ways to identify and address those issues.

We still need volunteers to help us with fundraising, marketing, social media development, website development, program development, an attorney, an accountant, contributors for original writing/sharing personal experiences with addiction/recovery, grant writing as well as contributing money, time, original artwork, your band performing, signed memorabilia and other items for silent auctions and fundraisers.  That site is http://www.betterlifeinrecovery.com/ (it is a very bare bones site until we find a web site developer).

I am also in the midst of writing the book entitled Spiritual Spackle that will document my story of overcoming various addictions, depression, suicide attempts and prison then sharing the things that were instrumental in my overcoming them. As an FYI, this book is very faith oriented, as Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Apostle Paul were very instrumental in my recovery. It should be finished by the end of 2012.

Here is what several people have said about me and my message:

"David is a man who has walked the road of addiction and recovery.  In that he is classified as a 'wounded healer'.  He is in my mind the best person to lead the way for those struggling with life-controlling issues.  He is passionate, humble and knowledgeable about this topic...a rare and powerful spokesman for today's culture so encumbered by destructive patters of behavior."

Dan Call
Senior Pastor of New Life Church, Springfield, MO

"In 2010 I retired after 40 years as a researcher, author, consultant and Professor of Sociology and Criminology. During the last few years of my teaching career I regularly invited David to my classroom to be interviewed by me and my students. On every occasion that he visited my classroom he revealed his past life experiences in a way that invited student inquiry and left students with a powerful message - a message of hope in the face of despair. David's life story is both a tragic one and a wonder. The tragedy was in the way he was treated as a child and the wonder is the strong, independent, focused and positive person he has become today. I hope David continues to reach out to others with his story so that they, too, can see that a troubled youth can turn his or her life around given the opportunity and the will."

Mike Carlie, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Criminology
Missouri State University

The new page can be found at http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/p/personal-testimonies-and-speaking-in.html

PLEASE LIKE AND THEN SHARE THIS BLOG ON FACEBOOK, RETWEET IT AND EMAIL IT SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT THIS SITE, THE UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY AND TO ENABLE ME TO TALK TO MORE PEOPLE IN MORE PLACES ABOUT WHAT CHRIST CAN DO IN THEIR LIVES. THANK YOU!!!

My testimony given as part of Global University's Chapel Service

This is me giving my testimony for Chapel at Global University. It was different, giving my testimony to a room full of missionaries and pastors. The result was the same, a room full of people learning what the Holy Spirit has done in my life. From dope dealer to hope dealer, life changed by a single prayer and I am never looking back. 

Shooting the Documentary: Round 1

We have officially got our first group on video. I am hoping that we will do 2 more shoots over the next month and a couple of weeks. I would like us to be finished shooting by the beginning of February. It is always interesting to me when I get the opportunity to be a part of something that is amazing. There are also always complications that get in the way.

A long time ago we were trying to find a place to film that had the ambiance and character that Julie was looking for. We talked to a place that we really wanted to use. We were quoted the price of $175 an hour to shoot there. Since we are currently funding this ourselves, that was out of our price range. We looked around a little bit more, and we found the Springfield Creamery Art Center. We paid $25 to join the join the Springfield Art Council and now shoot at the Creamery for and they worked out a much better deal with them. Let me just say that they offered us an amazing opportunity. It was too good to pass up, so..............we took them up on it!

We made plans several weeks ago to shoot there from 9-2 Saturday. I was going to go at 9, followed by an engaged couple Josh and Sabrina at 10 and 11 that are both 26, Randall who is in his 40's at 12 and a 21 year old named Clayton at 1. We had our lineup of talent (those we are interviewing for the documentary are considered talent, and calling them "the talent" is just fun to say) to film and we had our location. I thought we were good to go. I was wrong! Saturday we hit many snags. Yet we prevailed.

For starters, I did not realize we were down to one High Definition tape to film with. I discovered this at 8, and we were to be at the location by 9. We looked for the tape at Wal-Mart since they were already open. Of course they did not have any. They had tape, but not Hi Def. We then went to a camera and video place here in Springfield, but they did not open until 9. We tried to call Best Buy, but they did not open until 9 either. We had no choice but to wait until they opened.

While we were sitting in the parking lot waiting for the camera store to open, I remembered that I had forgotten the lap top with the questions to ask the talent. We had to return home to get the lap top, and then drive back to the store. By the time we got back there they were open. Murphy's Law kicked in, which is my way of saying they did not have High Def film either.

We now had to go to Best Buy, which I was avoiding like it was contagious due to it being a week before Christmas. We called them, and were immediately told that our call was important by the automation. We were then given some wonderful music to listen to and placed on hold. We went, found parking in the parking lot eventually and then entered inside. I hung up the phone as I walked inside, still on hold after driving across town, searching for parking then hiking to the store from the back 40 were parking was available.

Amazingly, they had 6 two packs of High Def film, so we grabbed them all (My apologies to anyone who goes there and cannot find any film). Then we got the pleasure of waiting in the uber-long Christmas line. Julie and I joked the whole way, and decided that we did not really need to film me anyway. We would still be there 15 minutes early so that we could set up and prepare to shoot the couple who was coming at 10.

Wouldn't you know, at 9:40 we get the call from the talent we have scheduled to shoot at 10 letting us know that they are there waiting for us. We tell them that we will be there in 5 minutes. True to our word, we show up at 9:45 and unload. The parking lot is bare, but we are not thinking about that. We grab gear, walk to the door and it is locked. As we explore the entire building, we discover that the entire building is locked up tighter than Fort Knox.

At this time, I begin to laugh! Then all four of us there begin to make phone calls to look for other people. We are all searching through our phones frantically, but to no avail. Then we begin to brain storm about prospective places. We scrambled around and finally talked to people at the Discovery Center, who agreed to let us shoot there for free. As soon as they said we could film there we headed that way. We were filling out paperwork at the Discovery Center when Julie's phone rang. It was a call from the Creamery. Someone was on there way to unlock it for us.

We thanked the lady at the desk and then we left, headed back to the Creamery. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, the talent for the slot at 1 called. There was an emergency with his father and he was going to have to bow out. I told him that was completely understandable, and that we would have him give his testimony and answer questions for the documentary in our next filming session in January. I told Julie this was perfect. We could now still film me today.

Then we arrived at the Creamery. We were met by a very gracious lady who explained the miscommunication to us. The building was supposed to be open due to ballet practice being held there. It always is on Saturdays. That said, this week was different. Due to Springfield Ballet presenting "The Nutcracker" over the weekend ballet practice was moved to the Vandivort Theater and the Creamery was locked up.

We got set-up to shoot and it was now almost 11. We began with Josh. He gave his testimony then answered the 20 plus questions for the documentary. We had successfully gotten our day started. While he is giving his testimony Randall calls. He will be running late and will not be there on time. I told him that he could have the slot to film at 1 since Once again, this works out perfect. I am now able to shoot Sabrina and Josh back to back so that they can get leave, as they needed to pick their children up.

Sabrina finishes and I actually have some time for me to go. I do not get to give my testimony, but I do have an opportunity to answer the questions for the documentary. We are supposed to use short and concise sentences for some of the questions and single words in response to some of the other questions. Needless to say, I have some issues in this department. I tend to be verbose, that is to say I am challenged when it comes to short and concise.

As I am going through my questions, Randall shows up. I finish the questions for the documentary. Then Randall has an opportunity to give his testimony and  answer the documentary questions. We ended up going 35 minutes over and completed shooting at 2:35. By the time we packed, picked up some fast food at Burger King and got to worship practice we were 10 minutes late. One of the musicians was 20 minutes late and another was running 30 minutes late.

Due to this we were actually on time......ish! We ended up getting 2 people shot for the documentary that we are going to use, but I may have to go again when I give my testimony for the wall of recovery (wall of hope? unsure of a name for it). We also had 3 people give their testimonies for the wall of blank. I can see my first contest forming right now: What is the most popular name for the wall?

So in the end our first round of shooting a full group was successful, and we will be filming two more groups next month. I am excited to see this project coming to fruition and look forward to getting the message of recovery to the youth in our community and someday around the state, the country and eventually the world!!!