... that saved a wretch like me.

my story is not much different from any other alcoholic or drug addict who is in recovery. we sought out a higher power because our Lives be came on manageable. through much self examination we came to understand our defects in character... we reached out to others for fellowship and mentoring. I, as many have, came to believe in Jesus as my higher power and five years ago I accepted Christ... I got into a church and started reading my Bible. I slowly developed a thirst for knowledge of God in His Word. my grandmother has been sending Christian books for years and I just shelved them, so I already had a decent size Christian library. I also be came a big watcher of Christian television. I tried out several different churches... looking for a place I could feel at home in. having had a big interest in philosophy and world religions in college, I had sampled from the religion buffet. I guess you could say I became ravenous with my new found faith. I read and listen to anything I could get my hands on. most of what I was reading was very mainstream... Yancey, Meyer, Hagee, Lucado, Warren, Franklin and so on. I settled on a non denominational church that had a really funny pastor and great music. I begin to hang around other Christians and would receive teaching from them. I was on fire for the Lord... and I really wasn't paying attention to what I was being taught and I took it for granted that I was being exposed to widely accepted sound doctrine. I just made sure to stay away from the obvious wackos and preachers who sermons are always about tithing.  
After almost nine months of sobriety I relapsed. Got sober...relapsed again. This pattern just repeated itself over and over.I was doing everything I could think of...prayer, meditation...begging for forgiveness from the Lord...I tried hanging out with just Christians, exercise, fasting...you name it. I would do okay...But deep down I still wanted to drink. What I thought was the biggest sin in my life...drinking...would not go away. All I felt was guilt and hopelessness. Alas I was SAVED..but not so much a new creature. I confessed, repented, and repeated. No results. Eventually I ended up near death in the ICU.

I was lucky and recovered with a pretty damaged liver but no lasting consequences (they thought I had Hepatitis). As I was recovering I read a book called "Jesus plus nothing equals everything" By Tullian Tchividjian, my grandparent's pastor (as well as Billy Graham,s grandson). This book was on Grace. it explained clearly who Jesus was, what he did for us and explained how we are approved and redeemed by Christ no matter what we are going through sin -wise. I don't want to explain the book but I definitely recommend it. IT CHANGED MY LIFE !!!!!  Here is a good review of the book by Kevin J. Thompson.

The premise of the book is that the Christian does not find security in his performance or perceived performance by others, but the Christian is to rest in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. Our life of obedience and good works is not founded on the notion that such things must be done to gain God’s favor and acceptance rather such things flow from a heart of gratitude because we already are favored and accepted by God. In other words, works are the result of God’s favor, not the basis of it. http://kevinjthompson.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/book-review-jesus-plus-nothing-equals-everything-by-tullian-tchividjian/

I also read a book called "Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince. http://www.josephprinceonline.com/portfolio/destined-to-reign-book/
This is truly the best book on grace by far in my opinion.
I also started to listen to JP's sermons. I checked the BIBLE to make sure all lined up with it. It did! I dove deeper..reading everything I could get my hands on. I experienced a GRACE REVELATION that just blew me away. You would think I'd be happy but I was so mad at the wrong teaching I had received for the last 5 years!
I applied what I learned and repented from the former teaching...my life has changed...i am sober almost 6 months WITH ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE TO DRINK WHATSOEVER.
To God be the glory...but thanks to those who are re-pioneering the message of the original church. Thanks to the true MESSAGE OF THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!