Post by George on Aug 12, 2005 19:49:54 GMT -5
A most fond hello to each and every one of you brothers and sisters here. Please allow me to introduce myself. My introduction may be a little unlike any you may have seen here. Actually it may be quite a bit different.
My name is George Groce. I am 58 years old. I have only been a saved Christian for almost exactly three years. My life and the things I did with it are a study in abomination and the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. Very similar to the story of Lot, I got what I wanted and lost almost everything I had including my life at my own hands. Little did I realize at the time it is not even my life.
All I wanted was for people to leave me alone and let me do what I wanted to do. I succeeded. Let me explain a bit to you. I will try to keep it short. However, I really like for my testimony to serve as a way to glorify God and as a way for others to see that ours is the God of the third and fourth chance.
I suffered the bondage of alcohol and drugs for the better part of 39 years. So as not to spend too much time glorifying the works of the enemy in my life let me just give you a bit of my story. I began to drink to excess at the age of 16. Shortly after being released from active duty in the United States Navy I was introduced to drugs. I used just about anything you may have ever heard of that did not require the use of a needle.
I have approximately 87 stitches in various places on my body which can be directly tied to my addictions. I had brain surgery twice in three weeks due to alcoholism. In July of 2002 I retired after a career of close to 35 years with the United States Postal Service. That was when I began to circle the drain about to be flushed away with the rest of the garbage. In a two month period of time I was arrested twice. I had five rather serious charges pending in court.
On August 15 of 2002 I came to out of a drug and alcohol induced blackout to a house full of police officers and the mental health assessment manager. I had threatened to take the life of my son and myself while in this blackout. I was taken away and put on a suicide watch.
That was the last time I have had a drink or taken an illegal drug. You see, at the age of 55 I finally asked anyone for help. I got down on my knees and said, "God, I can't do this any more, I need help." As it says in Psalm 40, He inclined unto me! Immediately the blessings began to flow. Most of the court cases were dropped by the judge. The jail time was done away with. The fine was done away with. God was abounding toward me in His infinite blessings.
I returned to Church where I had a short relationship after my first arrest. This time, with an incredible amount of help from The Lord, it was entirely different. I surrendered. I gave up completely, totally and without reservation. To that end I have been the Chapter Director of Reformers Unanimous in my Church for over two years. I have put in much study to be a Christian Addictions counselor. I am currently enrolled in Slidell Baptist Seminary with the ultimate goal of attaining a Doctor in Theology degree. That is God willing and Jesus doesn't come back first.
That is a little about myself. As to my reason for coming to this site, I will explain that in another place. If anyone is interested at all in knowing more you may feel free to contact me. If you do please use the email address of george.groce@verizon.net. If I can be of any assistance in helping people understand the Biblical aspects of Addictions, Strongholds and Stubborn habits and how to have The Lord take them away I will gladly do it.
In the new life God has provided me I owe everything I have and everything I am to God. It is merely by His mercies and grace I even have this day.
Yours in Christ,
George Groce
My name is George Groce. I am 58 years old. I have only been a saved Christian for almost exactly three years. My life and the things I did with it are a study in abomination and the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. Very similar to the story of Lot, I got what I wanted and lost almost everything I had including my life at my own hands. Little did I realize at the time it is not even my life.
All I wanted was for people to leave me alone and let me do what I wanted to do. I succeeded. Let me explain a bit to you. I will try to keep it short. However, I really like for my testimony to serve as a way to glorify God and as a way for others to see that ours is the God of the third and fourth chance.
I suffered the bondage of alcohol and drugs for the better part of 39 years. So as not to spend too much time glorifying the works of the enemy in my life let me just give you a bit of my story. I began to drink to excess at the age of 16. Shortly after being released from active duty in the United States Navy I was introduced to drugs. I used just about anything you may have ever heard of that did not require the use of a needle.
I have approximately 87 stitches in various places on my body which can be directly tied to my addictions. I had brain surgery twice in three weeks due to alcoholism. In July of 2002 I retired after a career of close to 35 years with the United States Postal Service. That was when I began to circle the drain about to be flushed away with the rest of the garbage. In a two month period of time I was arrested twice. I had five rather serious charges pending in court.
On August 15 of 2002 I came to out of a drug and alcohol induced blackout to a house full of police officers and the mental health assessment manager. I had threatened to take the life of my son and myself while in this blackout. I was taken away and put on a suicide watch.
That was the last time I have had a drink or taken an illegal drug. You see, at the age of 55 I finally asked anyone for help. I got down on my knees and said, "God, I can't do this any more, I need help." As it says in Psalm 40, He inclined unto me! Immediately the blessings began to flow. Most of the court cases were dropped by the judge. The jail time was done away with. The fine was done away with. God was abounding toward me in His infinite blessings.
I returned to Church where I had a short relationship after my first arrest. This time, with an incredible amount of help from The Lord, it was entirely different. I surrendered. I gave up completely, totally and without reservation. To that end I have been the Chapter Director of Reformers Unanimous in my Church for over two years. I have put in much study to be a Christian Addictions counselor. I am currently enrolled in Slidell Baptist Seminary with the ultimate goal of attaining a Doctor in Theology degree. That is God willing and Jesus doesn't come back first.
That is a little about myself. As to my reason for coming to this site, I will explain that in another place. If anyone is interested at all in knowing more you may feel free to contact me. If you do please use the email address of george.groce@verizon.net. If I can be of any assistance in helping people understand the Biblical aspects of Addictions, Strongholds and Stubborn habits and how to have The Lord take them away I will gladly do it.
In the new life God has provided me I owe everything I have and everything I am to God. It is merely by His mercies and grace I even have this day.
Yours in Christ,
George Groce