If I Were the Devil

“We know [for a fact] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts].”

-1 John 5:19 (AMP)

“Gone are the days when it was safe for kids to ride their bikes outside unsupervised and come home when the street lights turn on…. things were different back then.”

Have you heard anyone say that recently? I’ve heard it way too many times. Yes, things were different. Before the technological era and the media frenzy that have taken over the world, things were simpler. I can totally see it. But evil is the same as it was when it first met with mankind in the Garden of Eden as it says in the book of Genesis. Is Satan “gaining ground” on us? No. I would say he takes two steps forward and three steps back. We just happen to live in a “two steps forward” era.

Family, Faith, Mental HealthLeahMarch 20, 2017Grey Ministrieschristians and substance abuse, what can i do to stop my kids from doing drugs, how can the church address drugs, what does the bible say about parenting?, how to be a good, how to be a christian parent, how to teach your kids about sex christianity, how to teach your kids about partying christianity Comments

How One Heroin Addict's Death Led Two Hundred Souls to Jesus

As many of you know, I recently moved from Canada back to the USA. Same general area, different community. This time, I’m lucky enough to call the ever-popular Hillsong Church my family’s home church. It’s pretty cool, I have to say. If you ever get the opportunity to attend a Hillsong service, I highly recommend it. One of the things I love the most about the church is tho opens and welcoming attitude of the patrons. Everyone comes as they are. A big sign at the front says, “Welcome Home” and you’re invited in with smiles, jeans and a lot of really, great music.

Forgiveness, A Gift that Sets the Giver Free

There she sat next to me in the pew. This time her recovery included a commitment to go back to church. I fought hard to no avail to keep the tears from flowing down my cheeks. My emotions were running high as she sat there as tangible proof of an answer to so many prayers. I didn't know then, that it wasn't going to last but I remember so vividly what God showed me that day.

FamilyJudy TomczakFebruary 12, 2017Grey Ministriesguilt and shame as the parent of an addict, mother of an addict, how to forgive someone, God will help us forgive, christians and substance abuse, forgiving yourself, what God says about forgiveness, alcoholism, guilt and condemnation for parents of addictsComment

My Loved One Has an Addiction, What Can I Do?

This is a question I hear often but has a very complicated answer. While the definition of addiction is the same across the board and the behaviours for each type of addiction come out, in the same manner, the actual addiction itself does need to be treated differently. So I’m going to say, it depends on what your loved one is addicted to.

I’m going to split this into the “big four” addictions. Some of these, I have up-close and personal experience with while others I do not, so if you’re the spouse of said addiction and you’re like, “Ummm, Leah, that’s whack advice!” I'm so sorry, that’s totally okay by me.

How to Deal With Guilt and Shame as the Parent of an Addict

When I reached this point in my story I looked up and sitting directly across from me was a lady whose eyes I could see, were filling with tears. I spoke to her directly and said, "This is the toughest part isn't it?" and she nodded.

This is the point in my story where I talk about the guilt. This was the hardest hurdle for me to get over.

FamilyJudy TomczakJanuary 17, 2017Grey MinistriesMarried to an Addict, married to an addict in recovery, Anxiety about a spouse's addiction, married to a drug addict, Healing and Recovery for Addicts and their Families, what to do when someone you love has an addiction, christians and substance abuse, new christian bloggers, guilt and shame as the parent of an addict Comments

The Year I Lost Christmas: A Story About Grief and Addiction

I distinctly remember the year I lost my Christmas. I didn’t lose the meaning of the season or my appreciation for the birth of my Lord and Saviour. It was His strength that got me through it all but hovering above my Christmas was a dark cloud, a memory. For me, this cloud hovered almost a decade. I felt it every time she relapsed. It lifted during times when she was doing well and then returned with each stumble backwards. Its name is grief.

FamilyJudy TomczakDecember 18, 2016Grey Ministriesmother of an addict, new christian bloggers, modern christians, substance abuse issues, help, teenager is drinking, teen with eating disordre, Healing and Recovery for Addicts and their Families, What to do when you love an addict, what to do when someone you love has an addiction, what does the bible say about fear, what does God say about forgiveness, what it's like to love an addict, how God handles grief Comments

You Can Love Your Child and Hate Their Substance Abuse

Blonde hair, blue eyes and a wealth of talent. She was my first born; Beautiful, funny, smart and excelled at anything she put her mind to from track and field, dance and figure skating. She had a beautiful voice and sang like an angel. She had the drive and determination of an Olympic athlete. She could have done anything she wanted but ended up doing none of the things she dreamed of because deep inside her lived a little girl who felt unworthy.

How to Support a Friend Whose Loved One is an Addict

The best way to describe how it feels to have a loved one battling addiction is isolating.

It’s difficult to relate to other people because your life is chaotic and spinning around unhealthy, unpredictable behaviour. It’s hard to make commitments, like volunteering for church activities or children’s school trips, because you’re overwhelmed and never know what will happen from day to day.

FamilyLeahSeptember 8, 2016Leah GreyMarried to an Addict, Anxiety about a spouse's addiction, my husband is an addict what do I do, how to live with a drug addicted spouse, married to a drug addict, being married to an addict, married to an addict in recovery, What to do when you love an addict, what it's like to love an addict, what to do when someone you love has an addiction, Healing and Recovery for Addicts and their Families Comments

You Ain’t Gotta Make Your Mind Up (Right Now)

Don’t rush, no pressure.

Everyone who knows me well, knows I love Justin Bieber. I’m sorry if you just lost all respect for me but I'm Canadian so I’m going to claim ignorance. The Biebs has gotten wiser in his trials and there’s some real nuggets of wisdom in his songs (albeit grammatical errors but wisdom nonetheless). One of my favourites is, “You ain’t gotta make your mind up right now, don’t rush, no pressure”.

, Mental Health, Marriage, Faith, FamilyLeahMay 29, 2016Grey MinistriesMarried to an Addict, What to do when you love an addict, Healing and Recovery for Addicts and their Families, my husband is an addict what do I do, being married to an addict, married to an addict in recovery, how to live with a drug addicted spouse, married to a drug addict, what it's like to love an addict, what to do when someone you love has an addiction, Leah Grey Comment

Experts Weigh in With Practical Advice on Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of those things I think we all have to struggle with at one point in our lives. No one is immune to being hurt so forgiveness becomes an important part of our human relationships.

To get a better understanding on this often very difficult subject, I asked some of my favourite fellow bloggers, writers, speakers and Christian influencers: “What practical advice would you give to a women who’s really struggling with forgiveness?”

Faith, Family, Mental HealthLeahApril 11, 2016Grey MinistriesMarried to an Addict, What to do when you love an addict, married to an addict in recovery, how to live with a drug addicted spouse, Healing and Recovery for Addicts and their Families, what it's like to love an addict, what to do when someone you love has an addiction, Leah Grey, my husband is an addict what do I do, how to forgive someone, what does God say about forgiveness Comments

Why Being a Peaceful Christian Doesn't Mean Being a Pushover

Do you REALLY know the difference between prayerful and pushover?

If you’ve lived with an addict, you may have found yourself becoming the unofficial peacemaker. You learned how to manage tension and prevent tempers from flaring. You may push away your feelings or overlook wrong behaviours because your world revolves around keeping other people happy.

If you’re like I was, you probably didn’t see it in the beginning (or now!). But the "peacemaker" mentality is more than likely there.

Keep Still and Let God

Picture yourself standing on the edge of a cliff of a tall mountain.

It's dark outside and the earth is quiet. You hear only a few crickets and the wind as it gently whistles through the trees. There is no one around, it's only you and God...

What would you do?

You would be still.