My name is chris, I graduated from Detroit Teen Challenge almost 10 years ago. When I left I knew I wasn't ready, but after being in Jail for 45 days, in teen challenge for over a year I was ready to start my new life. I was a hard case for the staff to break. I guess you could say I humbled myself just to get through the program so i wouldn't end up in jail. It didn't take me long to find myself back in my sin. I wont go into that because i recently came back to the lord and dont want to dwell on the past. I had two kids with a woman who i would like to say is my friend but after ten years of putting up with my crap, I dont know if I can say she is or not.
My point is it took ten years for the seed to grow. It took ten years of pushing the lord aside day after day. It took ten years for me to learn a lesson that had been in front of me the whole year of TC. Romans 8:38 says nothing can seperate us from the love god has for us. It took me ten years to realize this! Why? Why am I able to now read and understand everything that I was taught ten years ago. I understood it then but now the Lord is opening my eyes to more and more everyday. I'm not upset about it by any means. I Love god with everything i can everyday of mylife. I know I shouldn't question gods reasoning here, but, couldn't he have saved me the trouble im going through now by opening my eyes 10 years ago?
The confusion and the heartache I've gone through over the last 10 years is slowly being taken away and I know God has put it on my heart to stay in touch with you guys. I read the message boards and see that im not the only one who has fallen awaqy from what we learn in TC. My recovery was depndant on me then, so I thought. But now I feel like im already recovered and the rest of what my life holds is on HIM. 1 peter ch 5 says if we humble ourselves before the lord he will in lift us up in due time. To resist the devil who prowls like a roaring lion. I resist my urges everyday to give into my drunken behavior. Im not saying i dont have a beer with dinner or that I totally gave up smoking cigarettes. i am only saying that I now realize how great the Lord is and that day after day I am getting stronger. I remember the lessons that I was taught in TC like they were yesterday. Often times when I open the bible its to a passage that I was taught, a sermon that was delivered. I also look back and remember all the times at DTC and refused to listen. God truly does harden who he wishes to harden. It wasn't my time yet to truly accept what he was saying; "you also are my son whom I love."
SO pray that my strength grows in the Lord and His word. Pray that everyday is like it has been for the last 6 months for me and that my days get better. I wrote something else I wanted to post but I forgot it at home. God Bless all of you for you are my brothers and sisters in christ.
- The Program ...how we teach
- Testimonials ...why we teach
- Curriculum ...what we teach
- Center Locations ...where we teach