You did it again. You drank. You got high. You slept with him/her. You surfed the Internet. What gift could you possibly find in so much failure? But when your helplessness drives you to turn to God and admit your need, you will experience the greatest gift of all—his presence, his kindness, his forgiveness and his peace.
Author Erik Guzman explains that when we think it's up to us to rise above our suffering or sin, we alienate ourselves from our only source of help. But when we come to the end of ourselves, realize that our addictions have controlled us and turn in desperation to God, then we see that coming to the end of what we can do is the beginning of faith. That is the gift of addiction.
AUTHOR
Erik Guzman, MBA, is VP of Communications and Executive Producer at Key Life Network, cohost of the nationally syndicated talk show Steve Brown, Etc.,announcer for Key Life, and his writing has been featured in magazines and online. He is also a 5th degree black belt in Aikido and a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Erik, his wife, and three children live near Orlando, Florida.
“New Growth Press minibooks are my number one go-to in my counseling ministry with soldiers as an Army chaplain. I keep a display of a couple dozen outside my office, which are widely read by soldiers. On a daily basis, the practical topics meet service members right where they're at. Most soldiers will read counsel from a biblical perspective if it addresses their current struggles, which these minibooks do so well. NGP minibooks address the struggles well and provide gospel answers and hope! Thank you for making them available!”
CH (CPT) Brent Sadler, Chaplain, US Army
“New Growth Press minibooks are a solidly biblical and practical ministry tool enabling you to give biblical counsel in a readable format to people in a variety of settings and can extend your ability to biblically counsel in places and people you cannot go or reach otherwise. I really appreciate how in about thirty pages they confront the problem and give biblical solutions and practical strategies for change. Also, having them available in easy-to-see wall racks within easy reach of our traffic makes them very easy to utilize. I highly recommend these excellent resources in helping people find biblical answers to their life problems, enabling them to find and grow to be like Christ.”
Daniel Hartwig, Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Dysart, IA
“Our church has been using the minibooks by New Growth Press for many years, and we have almost every title produced. In our church’s counseling ministry, the clear, concise, and gospel-centered message of these minibooks has proven to be a useful tool for our counselors to help to bring about true heart change with their counselees. We also have them prominently displayed in our lobby for our church family to pick up and take with them at any time. One of the most attractive aspects of these minibooks is that they are ideal for people who don’t want to take the time to read an entire book but still want to get practical and sound biblical guidance on a particular area of struggle. We also find these resources particularly helpful for those who may be reluctant to ask for help on a topic that may be of a sensitive nature. We are grateful for these minibooks and how God is using them in the lives of so many in our church family.”
Kris Hemphill, SoulCare Supervisor
“We have been offering New Growth Press minibooks in our retail store for just over a year. So far, the response has been very positive, and it is now a vital part of our BaaM (Business as a Ministry) strategy. Now, more than ever, people need biblical truth as a resource to successfully overcome life's many challenges.”
John Kim, Beauty World, Winston-Salem, NC
“For three years, our church has been blessed by New Growth Press minibooks. We have them displayed right in our front lobby and they have been a great resource for church members as they seek information about a variety of topics. They have also been great for the ministry staff to see what people are dealing with. In a world full of counseling needs, New Growth Press minibooks are a great resource to have available at your church. Thank you to this ministry for your faithful service to the church!”
Zach McCraw, Director of Student and Family Ministries, South Elm St. Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC
“The New Growth Press minibooks have been a great asset to our biblical counseling ministry, as well as a great resource for many others in the church.”
Paul A. Walberg, Coordinator, Emmanuel Biblical Counseling Ministry, Toledo, OH
“We regularly encounter many people who are hurting. They are from many different backgrounds, experiencing an array of challenges. Truly our churches today have the opportunity to make a difference in our world by choosing to be hospitals for sinners instead of museums for saints. This is why I have gladly chosen to utilize the New Growth Press minibooks. They address real-life issues, helping people who are struggling to navigate their difficulties and find a full and meaningful life. These minibooks are substantive, practical and concise. I have used them for years and will continue to use them to minister to real-life needs. I do not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for help in ministering to others or to someone seeking answers to the difficult issues we encounter on life’s journey.”
Sam LoBello, Director of Adult Ministries, Live Oak Church, Watson, Louisiana
Apply coupon code MIXNSAVE to your shopping cart
*Some exceptions apply
David Powlison
Edward T. Welch
Erik Guzman
Philip G. Monroe
Unfortunately, this book is not a biblical resource. The title "the gift of addiction" is misleading at best. We choose our sin. People choose to enslave themselves to whatever they think will give them what they what. God is sovereign and able to redeem a life that has been stuck in life-enslaving sin, but sin is not a gift from God but a choice from a sinner. The author is focused on sobriety, not Christlikeness. This author quotes Alcoholics Anonymous, Carl Jung, Jon Stewart, and other secular people to frame his argument. Addiction in the bible is life-enslaving sin. Jesus said we are slaves to what we obey. Until the heart is transformed by God and the idolatrous root that produces the life-enslaving sin is replaced with a great love and worship in the Lord, sobriety is the best to hope for. I do not recommend this as a biblical resource.