Breaking the Chains

Together

2012-01-31T10:15:00.000-05:00

Sad but exciting morning. Almost 2 years ago my spiritual mentor, Doug was in my office and saw an email from One Way Ministries inviting me to a new group that was starting out. He was excited and told me that I had to go to check it out as he had just finished it. My wife and I went for the information session where they let us know that this was an 18-month commitment to journey with 10 other couples.

Wow, I can barely figure out what we are eating for supper before we leave the house in the morning let alone making an 18-month commitment!!!

Vikki and I looked at our schedules and talked to our bosses and everything worked out so that we could sign up for this group called Together. After an interview with the leaders of it, where, I guess we were deemed sane enough to begin this journey we were invited to join. Our first 3 day outing was a trip to Mont Treamblant. Not so bad, we thought, until we found out that we had to give a short testimony in front of the group. I asked Vikki "How the heck did we get in this group?! Its all pastors and their wives. I bet I'm the only drug addict!!!"

Thus began the 18-month journey. What an amazing journey it has been! Basically learning to build relationships as leaders and being discipled as a couple in all areas of our lives, from how we relate to each other (Life Languages), health & fitness, finances, conflict resolution tools and emotional health.

I feel I have gained 20 close friends and have been given some great tools for my marriage and life in general.

We will leave shortly for Chateau Montebello!!!!!! for our last 3 day adventure. I am so greatful for the oppertunity this group has given me and my family.

Who is my NIEGHBOR!!!

2012-01-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

This was the video from the Civic Prayer breakfast. Theme being about who is my neighbor. Thats right Im in it!!!

http://youtu.be/TehTI7WzAhA

I'm OK

2012-01-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

Nearing the first year of my recovery from addiction I signed up togo on this men’s overnight conference that was out of town. I went eager toshare my hope and encouragement with other men. I quickly found out I was therefor me. After dinner we were to meet in the sanctuary. I entered the room lastand everyone was already seated. Someone yelled out that he had saved a seat forme in the front row, so up I went. After a few teachings and stories they tooka break and told us to come back in 15 mins for an afterglow. I did not knowwhat this meant but was sure it wasn’t good, memories of weird church stuff andtelevangelist healing shows haunted me. I was trapped.

The pastor started to explain God in three parts,Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He explained that I could have an intimaterelationship with God and that I could be filled with the Holy Spirit. He madean offer for anyone who needed healing or hadn’t been intimate with God tostand up and receive prayer. All of a sudden I found myself standing, embarrassedat the thought that I could be the only one. Men surrounded me, put their handson me and began to pray for me. I closed my eyes and a movie started playing inmy head.

The movie was of a true story my mom had told me manyyears ago. The movie was set in my dad’s old church’s sanctuary. The servicewas over. A lady my mom had never met before, came over to her, pointed at me andasked if I was her son. My mom hesitated, and then said yes. The lady told herthat I was troubled but I was going tobe ok.

As the men prayed with their hands on me, I remember feelingmy shoulders relax, like I was coming out of a fighting stance. I realized thatI had been fighting my whole life. What was I even fighting?

I saw a cloud over my head that was filled with rage,fear and hurt and it was evaporating, giving me a sense of relief that I hadnever known. In that moment God met my deepest need and told me that I am ok. Tears poured down my face andI was flooded with what I can only describe as liquid love. I was being filledwith Gods love. The only thing I ever wanted but could never receive. I wasoverwhelmed.

We were asked to take a seat. I remember I was sureglad for the front row so no one could see what a mess I was in. The pastorstated that God could speak thru people and left the floor open to anyone whothought they heard from God. I actually think I rolled my eyes at that point. Acouple of people shared. Then from what sounded like it was in my head, a mansaid ‘someone here that has been fighting addiction their whole life, God wantsyou to know that you’re ok.’ I completely lost it. I was sobbing, I hadsnotcicles. I was so overwhelmed I left the room.

The next morning I awoke and stepped outside for asmoke. Immediately I was overwhelmed with the colour of the green on the trees.I could smell the rain. I was looking thru a new lens. It felt like my wholelife a hand had been on my head pushing me under, now it was gone. I felt totalsurrender to God and his will for my life.

God gave me a verse to reaffirm his power in my life.Psalm 107:14 ‘He brought me out of darkness and the deepest gloom and brokeaway my chains.’

My Life and my WILL

2011-10-29T10:56:00.000-04:00

I got out of a drug and alcohol rehab center about 6 years ago. In a short time I gave my life to Jesus Christ. It wasn't mine any more and for me it was an easy concept to understand as my way didn't work!!! My will or what I call my soul, where Ive operated from for most of my life was a different battle. My soul includes my mind, will and emotions. Meaning, I do what I want, when I want, as often as I want and it better make me feel good!! You probably know someone like that. Once I was out of treatment, I almost immediately startedwork driving heavy equipment. One day as I arrived at work the yard was shutdown due to an excess of rain. I stopped in at my parent’s house and my dad washome so we had breakfast and watched a teaching video. The man explainedMatthew 6:33, about seeking God first and having God supply all other needs.Huh, I thought. I pretty much did most of my life backwards so maybe this guyis right. I challenged God: You got me sober; no one else could do that, howabout you get me a job. That day I quit my job as a heavy equipment operatorand began to seek God first.

I went anywhere God was. I kept busier than when I wasworking. I went to every bible study, prayer meeting, A.A. meeting; anywhereand anything that I could learn or serve at. I never asked or looked for a job.I was testing God and was sure he didn’t need my help. Six months went by. Wemade trips to the local food bank, we found groceries on our front step andthere was always gas in the car. It was humbling, but all our needs were met.

One day after a bible study at a housing ministry formentally ill men, the director asked me if I would like a job working at one ofthe houses. I felt God say “this is the job I got for you”. I had tears in myeyes as I answered yes.

My first year working at Jericho Road, I provided supervisionat a care home for men who struggle with mental illness. That job taught me tolove unconditionally and built the foundation for my service to God now. I lovehelping people and passing on what God is teaching me, and I know this jobhelps me more than it helps them. 5 years later and still working on surrendering my will on a daily biases, I direct a 12 bed, addiction treatment program. The bible tells me to be spirit led. That is my battle daily. Surrendering to Gods will and not mine. When I do, God can work thru me. Join with me in this battle and God will use you in ways you would never imagine. "Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God"

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

THE BIRD

2011-05-22T23:40:00.005-04:00

During some recent time off I remembered a lesson God had shown me when I was new into ministry. I was working nights at the mentally ill care home and had lots of free time in the day. In the day I hung out and learned from a certain Calvary pastor from Florida. We had a noon bible study in a park across from the court house in downtown Ottawa. On this particular week our pastor was going away and had asked me to lead the bible study. I arrived early and was waiting for people to show up. I had a lot on my mind. The weekend prior a friend of mine had tried to commit suicide and had been calling me numerous times. Friends were fighting over a girl and were both asking for my advice and God had put in my path a young man to mentor. This man was a challenge. He was a compulsive liar and made my life very chaotic at times. All this being said I had a full plate of people to help.

As I waited, I noticed two kids in the brush next to my bench. They were standing over a dead black bird poking it with a stick. I quickly asked them to put down the stick and go find their parents. As they left a thought came to my head and said ‘heal the bird.’ I was taken back, I looked over both shoulders to make sure no one was around to hear me and spoke the words ‘Jesus heal this bird.’ I watched. Nothing. Oh well I thought, looked up and my chaotic mentee was coming toward me. He sat down. I looked back at the black bird and to my surprise it was twitching on its back, badly mangled. I informed the compulsive liar what had taken place earlier. What happened next even he couldn’t make up.

Before our very eyes the bird flipped onto its belly, wings spread on the ground and feathers all roughed up. Its eyes were puffy and white. Within 10 minutes we watched the bird reconstruct itself. I remember the last thing I saw as it walked away was its eyes. The white puss filled eyes closed then opened yellow with a black strip down the middle of them. He closed and opened his eyes and they were normal!!

A thought entered my mind, what I know now as the voice of God, “you can’t heal a bird can you? You can’t stop someone from killing themselves can you? You can’t fix people can you? If you want to see some cool stuff, then come for the ride. But it has nothing to do with what you think you can do.”

Let God be God. It’s not about doing for God; it’s about being with God.

Freedom

2011-03-28T21:09:00.003-04:00

Jesus has gone down to the lowest quarters of the jail and opened up the door and another prisoner has been released. This sums up my last little healing journey. My experience is that Jesus keeps freeing. I am free, yes, I know that. But Jesus keeps bringing me more freedom as I journey with him.

The latest healing adventure that Jesus took me on was a 2 month ordeal. Near the end of this time and working with a prayer partner God showed me that I was still holding on to some 'legitimacy' baggage. This comes from my adoption and abuse as a young child. As this unfolded God began to show me that I was still trying to prove myself and make sure that those around me knew I belonged on this earth. As I cried out to God to take this burden and asked for his forgiveness He open the door to the cell and gave me a new freedom! Neat-o !!

I'm starting to see a new reality on how God works. It would be all too easy for Him to slam the door shut as I walked out of the jail cell, throw away the key and never return again. I believe the door is still open for me if I choose to return.

A week or so after this new freedom I got a glimpse of going back. My wife and I meet with a newlywed couple once every two weeks and are going through some marriage videos. After dinner I was explaining some differences between men and women. To get my point across I brought it back to Adam and Eve. I stated that when the bible says rib, the original Greek meaning is "a part of" or "side".

The new bride immediately had to check her bible to see if this was true. By no means did she do anything wrong, but what rose up inside of me was shocking. I was angry!!!! "Like seriously... Come on", I thought.

What the enemy was trying to do was to invite me back to the jail cell. This would be just a small step towards it. I am reminded that I DON'T HAVE TO TRY TO PROVE MYSELF.

Today that cell remains empty and the door is still open. Today I have made a choice to stay free and for God to light my path and open my eyes.

I pray that God continues to free and light our paths.

Faithful with a little

2011-03-10T12:37:00.003-05:00

Jesus told a story of a businessman who provided three of his employees with some investment money. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then the businessman went on a journey. Two of the employees immediately put their money to work and soon doubled their investments. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

When the businessman returned from his journey he came to settle the accounts. His response to the two men who invested the money was, ”Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” Matthew 25:14-30

In the last few years God has opened the door at Jericho Road to start a Discipleship House for men with addiction issues. We began with two men and shared a house with four men with mental illness. We have sown our “talents” and have been faithful with what God gave us and He has grown our ministry. Two years ago we had the opportunity to move from our shared accommodations into a house in the Glebe with 6 beds and one full time staff. Then about a year ago we expanded to another house with the men who have graduated from the discipleship program. Today the Discipleship House has grown into a full-fledged addiction treatment program.

With the approval of the Jericho Board we are now expanding the discipleship program to eleven beds. We have a full time Director for our Addiction Services, an Addictions Counselor, a part time Supervisor and a House Dean. We have moved the Graduate program to another property and are currently painting and making repairs there. These last three years have not been easy, but when I look back I am amazed. This is nothing I could do; it is God and his power to bless those who are faithful!

If you are a supporter of Jericho Road Christian Ministries, I thank you; we would not be here today without you. If you want to join our support team, would you consider sending an email so I can set you up to pray for individual clients? Would you consider donating money to help our program grow? Would you pray for our staff and rest of the ministry and ask God to keep filling our beds?

Thank you for your love and support,

Jon Ruby

Director of Addiction Services

jonnyruby@yahoo.com

Stones

2011-02-10T13:00:00.003-05:00

You have received a stone.

Here is the story that goes with your stone.

I was nearing the end of a long term rehab center. I had finished the core program and with 2 weeks left I was in what they called reintegration. Reintegration was a time for a client to plan an exit strategy, housing, schooling, basically planning the next stage of their recovery. I had been, by Gods grace planning to move back home with Vikki and my boys after about a year apart. She was ready to try and make a go of it as she saw my dedication in my recovery, to my family and completion of the treatment center.

At about the same time I finished the core program, this 32 year old mix martial arts fighter named Jason from Winnipeg joined the treatment center. This guy looked tough and I took an immediate liking to him. We would talk about our lives and what got us into trouble. He said he used to be an addiction counselor at a Christian rehab center called Teen Challenge. His girl friend, best friend and now fiancé for 5 years was t-boned by a drunk driver and lost her life. He said he couldn’t handle the pain and started drinking, got fired from his job and was running from his pain. He wound up in Ottawa hitting rock bottom.

I had a lot of spare time in reintegration and had put in a request to spend weekends at our home in Orleans to help out with the kids and to work on re-entering married life. I thought it a reasonable request because there was no program, limited staff and not many of the other clients were around on weekends. The answer was no. I could go every 2^nd weekend. I argued my case but it fell on deaf ears. The next weekend came and full of resentment and the knowledge that I would never get caught and that no one really cared if I went home, I hopped on a bus. The next week on Tuesday night I was called into the office and asked if I had slept out at home, shocked, I lied and straight faced said ‘no, of course not.’ They let me go. I went down to the TV room where I started to vent, basically letting anyone know that I would punch out who ever ratted me out. Apparently the guy that told on me was there and went up to the office and let them know he was scared and that I was intimidating people. I was immediately asked to leave for intimidation. I was shaken, mad, hurt and fear of failure rushed in. I packed my bags, called Vikki and she agreed to let me still move back home.

While I was in the kitchen, waiting for my ride, Jason asked if he could talk to me. I said sure. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stone and placed it in my hand. He told me a story about his fiancé when she was alive. Like any couple they would get into arguments. He said that in the bible it says that if we have no sin or have never done any thing wrong then we could throw stones at others. He said that they were planning on using this concept in their wedding vows and had given each other small stones as a symbol of their vow not to throw stones at each other. He said he wanted me to have the stone she had given him. Tears poured down my face as the emotion of getting kicked out and being given this gift hit me.

Jesus never sinned. Jesus never hurt any one. Jesus never defended himself. As I write this I cry because this is what love is all about. If only we could all put down our rocks, let God defend us and love one another as ourselves. The world, our cities, our marriages and our lives would be much better.

Love Jon Ruby

In honor of Doug.

The Agenda

2010-10-26T15:17:00.003-04:00

I just remembered this story as I read Mark 11:24.

I invited a guest speaker to the Jericho Road Sunday night bible study to inform the boys about finances. As you may know, this can be an issue for many addicts. The study was a success (despite ending with one of the men trying to figure out how to launder money!!!) I helped pack up, thanked the speaker, jumped in my truck and headed home. As I pulled into my driveway I panicked as I realized I had left my agenda at the community centre where we hold our bible study. I panicked because it has my 'life' in it, you know, all of my keys, work van key, keys to all the addiction houses and each room, church keys and office keys!!!!

AAAAAHHHHHHGGGGGG!!!!!!

That alone is reason to panic, but no, I also had restaurant gift certificates, $50 cash, debit cards, a memory stick and basically every scheduled appointment I have, plus all my notes I take.

So on the ride back I did what every Christian would do, PRAY!!!! Lord, if I... No, Lord if it was possible.... No. Lord...... Well I'm sure you know what I mean.

As I returned to the community center I looked in the room where we had been, and nothing. My heart sank! I went and asked the front counter staff. Nothing. My heart sank further. I searched the property. Nothing. Oh my poor heart sank!!!

I was faced with the consequences of having all my eggs in one basket, if you know what I mean.

The next morning as I did my devotions I read Mark 11. As I read verse 24, hope filled my heart, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. "
Well, I thought as my heart did a somersault, obviously God is going to send me back my agenda today! YaaaaaaHHHH!!!!

I waited for that phone call all day. I even went back to the scene of the crime and searched through all the garbage cans on the property, looked in the lost and found and informed the staff what had happened. Nothing. Tuesday night rolls around and I thought, how could God not send me my agenda? What about Mark 11:24? I guess God has another plan and a better purpose for my book. So I figured I better replace the agenda so I can keep track of my appointments and try to replace my keys the best I can. I made phone calls and explained the lost keys, canceled the debit cards and bought a new $10 dollar agenda.

I began life with my new agenda.

Thursday morning I get a call. The man on the other end said he was calling from some security corporation, asked my name and something about my portfolio. I stopped him and said I wasn't interested. He asked again about my portfolio and if I had lost any keys.

What?????? I realized he was talking about my agenda. I asked where he was calling from because the call was from an area code I didn't recognize. He replied Toronto. Toronto?? The man asked if he could mail it to the address he found on my business card. I said sure. That was the end of our conversation.

HUH? how did it get to T.O.? Who was the guy? What just happened?

3 days later my agenda arrived wrapped in brown paper with no return address. Everything was in it except the $50. Wow, God did answer my prayer. He taught me in that instance that I need to have blind faith. Faith. Faith that he knows what he is doing and that he wants to bless me. He taught me that He works things out in his time. I am learning to trust and wait for God to move before I run off a hit a wall.

Mark 11:24 PRAY IT!!!!!!!!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

AMEN

God is faithful

2010-10-12T20:04:00.003-04:00

Facilitating a discipleship house can be exasperating on the best of days. Not only do I look after our D-house at Jericho Road but fill and over see our transition houses, interviews, one on ones, manage interns and daily problem solving around our ministry. Please don't feel sorry for me, for God has blessed me with a 'disability' called a.d.h.d........ I find it easy to do a lot of things at once, all day long!!!!

Where I have a hard time is when I am attacked by the people that seem to be on our side.....you know, the side that wants to see addicts recover and come to know Christ. At the beginning of last month we only had 2 beds filled at the D-house and some other opening at some of the houses, which is a financial burden on the ministry. Some of the attacks sounded like this: 'It's because of your strict rules, like no smoking', 'you don't understand jail guys', 'you don't help guys effectively' and 'obviously God's not in this 'cause you got no guys in the house'. Just to mention a few, you get the point. So in my head goes the battle of questions. Should we close up the d-house? Should I make this house more user-friendly? Should we compromise our beliefs on smoking? Am I just getting in God's way?

Rant over. A couple of week ago I sat down with the director and brainstormed how we could fill our beds. The first idea I had was pray. Let's pray. These are God houses, he knows what he is doing. I learned that in Sunday school. The answer was always Jesus and a close second was pray!!! Next was an idea to design an information package of what we do and have to offer along with flyers of the D-house and our Transition houses that we could give to drop in's, detox, shelters and churches. Great ideas and we got underway creating and designing.

Yesterday our info pack and flyers were finally done and look great!!!!! (Thanks Vikki)

In the mean time God was busy. As of yesterday all our homes are full and I have a waiting list of 4 men to get into the Transition houses. The D-house is full - of 'jail' guys except for one of them. Two of them have come by plane! One from Labrador and the newest one this weekend from St. John's!!!

I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is Faithful. The enemy will always attack, tear down and discredit. My encouragement is to pray and yes be proactive. What I am learning is to trust God. He does know what he is doing and to stay in the boat where he is. I must be patient as I walk with Him. I must not swerve to the right or to the left. Thank you Jesus.

BREAKING THE CHAINS 2011 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-27T15:08:00.004-04:00

Well it's official........Breaking the Chains 2011 ....................

On May 13th, 2011, at the Bronson center we will worship Jesus Christ for his saving power and surrender to his ability to set free the captives. We have invited recording artist Flame and some of his friends to join us........WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!! The night will consist of powerful testimonies, music, bible reading and prayer.

Can you join us in prayer in getting ready for this event???
Pray for the testimonies that will be shared that night.
Pray that the musicians will arrive safe from the U.S.A.
Pray for finances to come in.
Pray that God starts moving in the hearts of men and women that need healing and freedom from addiction.
Pray for the organization of the night itself.

Thanks for your help!!!!!!

Corey Russell's testimony

2010-07-30T12:40:00.001-04:00

I Love this story and what God is doing in his life!!!! He's got some great CD's out as well......preach done to music....get them!!!!

unwanted

2010-05-14T14:14:00.003-04:00

Ryan Scott Bomberger is one of those unwanted. should have been aborted. no hope. no future. product of rape. abort.

His birth mother made the difficult decision to give her child up for adoption.

Read Ryan's full story at thisisryan.com

God's Promises!

2010-02-16T15:48:00.005-05:00

Going thru my recovery from a drug and alcohol addiction I have realized that my wounds as a young child helped me to choose addiction. As a child I was abused, abandoned and later adopted into a loving home but the words I was left with on my heart were, ‘YOU'RE NO GOOD’, ‘YOU'RE NOT WANTED’, ‘NO ONE LOVES YOU’.

Tuesday afternoons at 1:30pm Doug Sprunt teaches at our discipleship house. He has been teaching at the house for about 8 months and I’m pretty sure he is Jesus’ right hand man. We have been learning out of the book ‘Emotionally Healthy Spirituality’ and were just wrapping it up on this particular Tuesday afternoon.

The night before, so Monday night, my wife and I attended our Celebrate Recovery meeting downtown, got a bite to eat after and got home at about 11:00pm. On our way into the house my wife grabbed the mail and in it was one of those ominous, manila, government envelopes addressed to me (if you lived an addicted life style you’ve probably received your fair share of these envelopes and usually they bear bad news). I sat down at our dinning room table and began to open it as Vikki ran up stairs. As she returned I said to her with a blank look and tears in my eyes ‘I’m a Kilbreath’. You see I had received my identifying papers from my adoption with my original birth certificate in it. My original name said I was Macy Kilbreath from Sarnia Ontario. WOW.

Immediately the words that had run my life for so long came rushing back……you're no good…….you're not wanted…….no one loves you.

Tuesday afternoon as Doug began to teach he stated how words can effect our lives. He told of a time in high school volleyball where he was serving the ball and at the same time another boy yelled out the word ‘FAGGOT’. Everyone laughed. That effected how he felt about himself all through high school.

Did this man read my mail last night??! Or was God starting to speak to me? Doug told us how believing lies from the enemy can distort our whole lives if we choose to believe them.

There was 8 of us in the room that afternoon and Doug had 7 numbered pieces of paper. He asked if I would sit this one out. The 7 men each chose a number and Doug read them their piece of paper:

'you have personal power over your own life', 'you are allowed to be imperfect and make mistakes', 'you have needs' (at this point I could not hold back my tears as each word was so specific to each guy and to me. God was speaking!) 'you are unique. Be you', 'you are a delight', 'you are lovable and good enough', 'it is good that you exist'.

Doug asked the guys one at a time to give me a statement of truth. As I heard their words tears flowed down my face. I knew they couldn't know the tremendous impact this was having on me.

God will always build. The enemy will tear down.

Today I try to remember to react on the truth: God loves me and will take care of me.

God had prepared this for me and it was a part of my healing journey. This is what an intimate relationship with my creator looks like. God will always do a greater work in me that thru me. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!

CELEBRATE!

2009-11-03T16:32:00.001-05:00

We Celebrate lost of things……we Celebrate our birthdays, some of us Celebrate Jesus’ birthday, we Celebrate the Stanly Cup, we Celebrate our graduations, we Celebrate first steps or words. Now I’m Celebrating my Recovery. As a ministry we have started the Celebrate Recovery leadership training, a 12 step, Christ centered recovery group that meets once a week.

Two years ago, when I started to manage the addiction side of our ministry, Ray D. (our director) passed me some papers to look into. It happened to be Celebrate Recovery. I did a little research and shrugged it off thinking we have all we need in the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship. A year goes by and I’m asked if any of our discipleship guys would be interested in a leadership training in C.R. We nominated one of our guys to take the 14 week course in hopes we could start our own. He finished the course, everyone loved him and still talks about him, then he felt called to live out in Perth, so our group never got under way.

This summer, on holidays, out of the blue, I was asked to speak at a Celebrate Recovery meeting at my cousins church down in Strathroy. I felt right at home. I felt equally yoked. We all had the same Higher Power and they based their recovery on the 12 steps of A.A. After holiday’s I immediately looked for a group to join. I found one and had all our discipleship men committed to going. I will be honest this meeting was not the best fit for our group. Three months later Ray D. approached me stating that a couple of men would like to help us start a Jericho Road Celebrate Recovery. WOW. And we have, as of October 26, 2009. We have a beautiful location, great leaders and the Holy Spirit.

At our first group on Monday night I heard a man say that he didn’t agree with 12 step programs because it took away from what God had done and felt that this could be a waste of time, although he admitted that he struggled with self-centeredness and pride and that until a year ago he covered it up with alcohol, drugs and sex. I was amazed, this reluctant man is one of the few that get it. Substances aren’t the problem, we are. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says “our liquor was but a symptom”.

I cant wait to see what God is going to do in the hearts of addicts through this group. So lets Celebrate life, lets Celebrate Recovery and the power of God.

3 Roads

2009-10-21T16:23:00.001-04:00

We have a large display hutch in our living room at the Discipleship house. Today I went and got 5 pictures printed off and put them in elegant but cheap dollar store frames.

I had begun displaying pictures of the Discipleship men shortly after we lost one to a drinking and driving wreck just over a year ago.

As I put them in and rearranged with the old ones I started to feel sad, remembering three men in particular.

These three men were all at the discipleship house together just over a year ago. Within a 12 hour span, each man had called me to tell me he had relapsed on crack cocaine and was in detox.

What were the odds of that happening?

They all waited for me to give them further instructions to be able to stay at the Discipleship house. After 5 days at detox they were to enroll in the stabilization program at the Mission, stay for the month, get their heads together and come back with a renewed surrender.

A week into their stay at the Mission, two of the men gave in to the temptation to use again. Forget the Promised Land and go back to Egypt.

One of them is in jail to this day, the second lost his life soon after in a drinking and driving wreck. The third, Steph, chose to surrender completely to God. To stop running, stop fighting, drop the weapons and surrender.

Today Steph is married to a Godly woman. He serves in our church as a worship leader and operates a cleaning business with his wife.

In Steph’s picture he is sitting on a fallen cross in the middle of a field… “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

Pray for full surrender and that the new men in our house may see the Promised Land.

SUNSHINE

2009-10-14T11:20:00.000-04:00

As an employee of Jericho Road, I have the privilege of facilitating our Discipleship House, where men are changing their lives as they pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ.

One of the weekly aspects of the Discipleship program is what we call ‘street ministry’. Just as Jesus met a physical need as well as a spiritual need, we give out granola bars and juice boxes and, when possible, share our stories and pray for the people we meet on the street.

I want to share just one of the street ministry moments that has broken my heart:

Sunshine is what we see after a storm or when the dark is gone and a new beginning is coming.

We were pretty much finished street ministry for the day, handing out the last of our ‘goodies’ down near the Shepherds of Good Hope. As we were walking away 50feet behind us or so 2 women were yelling in our direction. No one was ahead of us so it was definitely directed at us. I felt like we needed to put our heads down and speed up our walk to make our way out of a compromising situation. Something in me decided instead to quickly turn around, walk towards them and yell “hey are you talking to me?” They seemed startled, then began to laugh and wondered aloud if we had any more juice boxes.

We gave them what we had left and started to ask them questions. I noticed one with beautiful hair, but her dirty black feet and the hurt on her face didn’t match. I asked if she was ok and immediately an avalanche of pain fell forth through her tears. She said she was sick of this life and the men she uses to make money from. She wanted out. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt her pain. I began to tell her I understood; that I had been there and found a new way to live. I told her there is hope in a relationship with a God who loves you and created you. There is a way out of here and that way is with Jesus. I asked her if I could pray with her, and she nodded yes.

As her tears poured down I was reassured that God has a plan and a hope for this beautiful creation named Sunshine. Two weeks after we prayed for Sunshine, I miraculously found out that she is in jail and is being ministered to by a friend that works in the jails telling women the good news of Jesus Christ.

Take a minute a pray for SUNSHINE.

It's been a while!!!!!!!

2009-10-10T16:09:00.001-04:00

So much has happened since the last entry. Working in the field of addiction I see how powerful God really is. Addicts literally being raised from the dead, but losing some as well. I'm ready to share some of these stories as hope, encouragement, or help. God has told me I can hang out and see him do some cool stuff, so it's all about him and what he can do.

I AM, OF MYSELF........NOTHING

the video

2008-08-11T10:43:00.000-04:00

update

2008-07-21T14:02:00.000-04:00

We should have updated long ago ! Breaking the Chains was an amazing event!! God really moved!!

We were initially surprised at how few youth groups were in attendance, c0mpared to the number that had confirmed. However, the recovery community was out in abundance and for that we are grateful.

Over 200 people were counted!!! Over 50 people went up for prayer!!!!!

To this day we are still encountering people who were in attendance and are now coming for help, to overcome addiction. We couldn't have dreamed of a better response.

If you found this page because you are struggling with drugs and or alcohol, please comment, email or call us.

There is HOPE!!!! There is VICTORY waiting for YOU!

addiction awareness

2008-03-31T09:15:00.001-04:00

Thank you for visiting the blog for "Breaking the Chains", an event to increase awareness about addiction.

My husband and I are organizing this event with the support of Ray Desmarais and Jericho Road Christian Ministries. We recognize that many, if not most, of the people we hope to attract with this free event will not be struggling with addiction. However, almost everyone I talk to knows someone struggling with an addiction of some sort (alcohol, drugs, pornography, food, the list goes on...).

Drugs and alcohol are so prevelent in our high schools and even junior high schools, we must inform our kids. Our speaker, Alvin Powell is just the man for that. Based in Montreal, Alvin has been invited to speak at many local Ottawa schools; Lisgar, St. Pete's, Centennial, St. Paul's and many more.

Alvin has an onstage presence that captivates the entire audience. We've witnessed an auditorium of 1500 students motionless for the duration of his presentation. No one even left to go to the bathroom, as is so common during school assemblies. That's when we knew we had to bring Alvin back to Ottawa for an event open to everyone, not just a particular school.

Details about the event are on the left side bar. Scroll down for more information about the speaker (Alvin Powell), the organizer (Jon Ruby) and the band (5 Minute Window).

Professionally printed posters and rave cards are also available to post at your location.

Thanks for stopping by!

feedback

2008-03-26T09:59:00.000-04:00

On Good Friday we were at No Other Name '08 . No Other Name was attended by over 400 youth ages 12-18. Jon had been invited to give a workshop on the effects of drugs and alcohol in his life. We were also invited to have a booth to promote the Breaking the Chains event.

Response from Youth Leaders, parents and the youth themselves was amazing! I spoke with a lot of people and every single one of them said how badly something like this is needed in our city. Everyone that I talked to either a) knows someone struggling with drugs or alcohol b) is struggling with drugs or alcohol, or c) has struggled with drugs or alcohol in the past.

I sat in on Jon's first workshop. I could tell he was a little nervous, first time speaking to kids about his experience. The room was packed, kids were sitting on the floor and they just kept coming in. Jon spoke about how he got started drinking, how it led to drugs, the extent he went to eventually to get drugs and how he got sobor. My completely unbiased opinion was that he did an absolutely amazing job! Fortunately, we did get a lot of positive unbiased feedback also.

I think what struck me the most was that we were once them. It doesn't feel like very long ago, we were just kids laughing and giggling about drinking and how much fun it was. That changed for us, and it will change for many of those kids too.

Of course, all those kids won't become alcoholics/drug addicts. I'm not. I don't know what the statistics are, but if even one of those kids has the gene or the predisposition to addiction, I think it's good that they hear about the reality now.

I wasn't in the 2nd workshop, but a couple kids were high and one passed out. Jon just patted him on the head and said "you're in the right place, buddy".

All in all, it was an amazing experience and I'm even more stoked for the event in May!

-Vikki

EVENT ORGANIZER

2008-02-26T12:51:00.000-05:00

Event organizer Jon Ruby was raised in a Christian home by loving parents. But this 'good Christian kid' turned to a life of drugs, alcohol and crime. Only when he ran out of options did he submit his life to God and allow those chains to be broken.

Jon now works for Jericho Road Christian Ministries and dedicates his time to helping others find their recovery.

The idea for an event to raise awareness about addiction came to Jon last year. The main purpose being to reach youth, youth leaders and parents, but also anyone who's life has been affected by addiction.

DRUGS, ALCOHOLISM and ADDICTION are still taboo words in our society. But the odds of someone in your life being affected are very high.

Get informed.

THE SPEAKER

2008-02-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

Guest Speaker Alvin Powell is a former NFL offensive
lineman for the Miami Dolphins and the Seattle Seahawks. At 6-foot-5, 320-pounds, he was an imposing figure on the football field. Alvin fell pray to the disease of addiction and is now recovered. He has turned his life around and is working helping others quit their habit and to prevent young people from ever starting.

He has visited hundreds of high schools, universities, sports associations and corporations. In his visits, he tells his compelling life story of how drugs ruined his NFL career, his life, and brought him to the brink of death. Alvin started using cocaine in 1985 in his second pro year. By 1988, he was "a full-blown crack cocaine addict", drinking and smoking pot as well. From there his life "went into a tailspin." Unable to control his romance with drugs he resigned from the Miami Dolphins.

At his worst, Powell says, he was living in a church and spending his time "looking for deals to get money to buy cocaine. "I was an embarrassment to my family and friends. I couldn't die quick enough. But God had another plan," he says.

Powell has dedicated the past 10 years to the prevention of drug and substance abuse, as well as helping those in crises who are suffering from the decease of addiction. Drugs do not care who you are he says. They do not discriminate against color, creed, race, size, economic background or even age. Powell notes that his youngest client is 10 years old and his oldest is 63.

THE BAND

2008-02-26T12:18:00.001-05:00

We excited to have local rock-worship band
5-Minute Window on board for this event.

These guys will rock your socks off!