God brought a tractor

Today has been such a warm day. I even went all morning without my coat! That is a miracle!

For some, the phrase "Kingdom Connections", brings to mind this ministry. But around 3 Dimensional Life, we like to use the phrase (thank you, Pastor Franklin!) as a way to acknowledge the ways the LORD works to bring people to 3 Dimensional Life. I'm not necessarily talking about students, as much as I'm talking about those networking opportunities, those connections, that can only be linked back to the LORD.

It is really fascinating to watch those Kingdom Connections unfold. For instance, just recently we had a man approach us about letting us use his tractor to be used around the property. While we were thankful for the man's thoughtful generosity, it was even more amazing when we realized it was the same exact tractor we had wanted to purchase months before! This week, the man came by with the tractor. As we talked, he mentioned how encouraging 3 Dimensional Life had been for him and how this was a way he could be involved. At a glance, it may seem insignificant to have a tractor. But when you look deeper (or for me, look out the window), I see how the tractor was used by God to bless this man's business, and in turn influence lives for eternity.

3D Family

The 3D family isn't just made up of staff members and students. It extends far beyond that to the students' families.

Each Sunday, we have Family Recovery class. This is a vital opportunity for the students and families to gather together and learn how to heal the wounds in their individual family and walk through recovery together.

Yesterday, I was struck at the uniqueness of 3D Sundays. Families come to see their students, but also, it is a time to get to know other families. Parents who are going through the exact same thing: having a son (soon, daughter!) in a drug and alcohol recovery program. I can only imagine that it must be nice to look across the living room and realize, We aren't alone. That is needed - to know there are others who have walked or are walking through the same or similar situation...

Beyond having that support network with other families, its really neat how students and parents can walk through recovery together. How awesome! What it does is identify that this isn't JUST a student issue, but the addictive behavior has poisoned every aspect of life, but in particular the family.

Next Sunday, be thinking of not only our 3D students, but also their families as they journey to healing together.

Snow Days

A perk of being located on a 54 acre Christmas Tree Farm? SNOW!

Yesterday, we experienced the effects of the recent artic blast. I believe we had about 1 INCH (nothing really, but still...) of it. It was beautiful. I had the opportunity to watch the snow lightly dust the Christmas trees and laughing as the 3D students waited outside the office to attack the intern with snowballs. By late in the evening, everything was covered and appeared clean and breathtaking.

Its fascinating that schools and businesses will close for snow, but 3D doesn't. We can't. The need is too great; our ministry is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Which is such a blessing that the ministry staff and interns can continue to pour into the 3D students without the worry of the condition of the weather.

Hope everyone stays warm!

Family Night at the Hawks Game

I've collected quite a number of 3D favorites over the past couple of weeks. I define "3D favorites" as those special events or moments that echo my love for 3D.

Of course, I could easily blog about my engagement or wedding - both events that included the 3D students. But, what comes to mind right now is the ATL Hawks game from last night. While I'll be the first to admit - I'm not a fan of the NBA, last night's game was different.

Last night, not only did we take the 3D students, but we also invited their parents. It was really neat to watch as students and parents alike enjoyed a family activity. For several hours, the only distraction was the Hawks Mascot and the only focus was parents and students spending good quality time together. One of the families sat directly behind me and I loved how the student, his dad and brother carried on a continual conversation.

That's what it is about - developing and restoring relationships. I certainly hope the families had a lot of fun. I did.

What is Your Funeral Song?

It was a somber conversation as we added up the celebrities. Michael Jackson. Heath Ledger. Brittany Murphy. In one year, three celebrities have died. All cited for cardiac arrest, but all connected to drug overdose.

This morning, while at the gym, the TV flashed a story about Casey Johnson, and when to use tough love with a child (regardless of age) who is an addict. While the story unfolded this chilling question was presented to ask your child: "What song do you want played at your funeral?"

No one wants to consider this. Especially when you are a teenager. You are invincible!

However, listening to that question this morning, really made me think. No, we don't know what tomorrow holds. But, we can make a choice to live a life that has purpose, that has hope, that has promise.

For the students at 3 Dimensional Life, they are rediscovering purpose, hope and understanding all that life has to offer them - drug, alcohol and destructive behavior-free. It is our hope, prayer and focus that teenagers and families alike find 3 Dimensional Life before Mom and Dad's are left wondering, "what song?".

Never Forget

Its important to never forget why we do what we do. Check out these statistics:

• females aged 12 to 17 (9 percent) were almost as likely as their male peers (10 percent) to report past month illicit drug use
• Among youths aged 12 to 17 in 2000, the rate of current illicit drug use was similar for boys (9.8 percent) and girls (9.5 percent). While boys aged 12 to 17 had a slightly higher rate of marijuana use than girls in the same age category (7.7 percent compared to 6.6 percent), girls were somewhat more likely to use psychotherapeutics nonmedically than boys (3.3 percent compared to 2.7 percent). Between 1999 and 2000, there was no significant change in the rate of current illicit drug use for either males or females aged 12 to 17.

This is startling. It may be an understatement to say the need is great, but the NEED IS GREAT. Even these little statistics speak volumes - students (guys and girls alike) are hurting. They are hurting themselves, their families, their future. They have lost hope and purpose.

What is fascinating to me is these students are not teenagers living under bridges. These students are in high school - in the band, on the baseball team, attending church, they have brothers and sisters, parents, etc.

Pray for 3Dimensional Life. Pray for the guys at 3D - those in the program now, and those to who will be entering the program. Pray for the Girls 3D - pray for those girls who will be entering in the next couple of months. Pray.

The Look of Sacrifice

He has a huge smile and an even bigger heart. Even though he graduated, he doesn't "officially" complete his program until a couple of weeks. His name is Riche, and if you've ever been around the 3D guys, and not met him, you are missing out. The change that has occurred in his life and in his family's lives is incredible. A change I've seen, not as ministry staff, but as a sideline observer.

Yesterday, Riche began to share about why he made the decision to become an intern. He said, "I kept looking at different options of what I wanted to do. I soon realized everything I was considering started with "I" - what I wanted to do."

Riche said that when he took a moment to consider what God wanted him to do, he went back to the driving force of his entire program: what do I need to do to have long-term sobriety?

At first, when Riche spoke of his driving force, I applauded his focus, then he made this comment: "Regardless of whether or not, someone is an addict, they need to decide what are they willing to sacrifice so that they don't go back to their old habits?" I felt so convicted by that comment.

For Riche, sacrifice means a 9-month internship at 3 Dimensional Life. What does sacrifice look like for us, individually? This is something that has challenged me and I am thinking a lot about: what am I willing to sacrifice for my long-term good?

Be praying for Riche - especially as he finishes his final days as a 3D student and prepares to be a 3D intern.