David Chenault

I have stage 3 Severe Emphysema/COPD. Some of my days are filled with huge challenges. Living with a chronic illness can test our faith in ways we never expected. There may be days when we feel tired, discouraged, or wonder why healing has not come. Yet my faith reminds me that God is with me even in the difficult seasons. Healing does not always happen in the way or timeframe we hope for, but God’s presence, strength, and peace can sustain us through every step of the journey. We can bring our pain, questions, and fears to Him, trusting that He hears us and cares for us.

Sometimes healing comes through a miraculous change in our bodies; other times, it comes through medicine, doctors, rest, the support of loved ones, or the strength to face another day. Our faith does not require us to deny our struggles—it gives us hope in the midst of them. As we place our lives in God’s hands, we can remember that our illness does not define who we are. We are still loved, still valuable, and never alone. Whether God brings physical healing now or leads us through a longer journey, we can continue to trust in His grace, His goodness, and His unfailing love.

Salvation can only come through Jesus Christ and no other name. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the greatest gift God offers to humanity. We cannot earn salvation through our own goodness, works, or accomplishments. Instead, God offers forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross for our sins and rose again. When we place our faith in Him, repent of our sins, and trust in His sacrifice, we are reconciled to God and receive the promise of eternal life. 

As Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”
Salvation is more than a promise about what happens after we die; it is also a new life that begins when we put our trust in Christ. Jesus gives us hope when we are discouraged, peace when life is difficult, and the assurance that we are never separated from God's love. Through Him, our past does not have to define our future. His grace gives us the opportunity to begin again, walk by faith, and live each day with gratitude for the wonderful gift of salvation.

Remorse and regret are painful emotions, but they can also become the beginning of meaningful change. Remorse comes when we recognize that something we said or did hurt someone or went against what we know to be right. Regret reminds us of the consequences of our choices and helps us understand what we would do differently if given another opportunity. While it is healthy to acknowledge our mistakes, we should not allow them to become a permanent sentence of guilt and shame. I will admit, even though I believe I have been forgiven, I still struggle in dealing with guilt and shame. I am still learning and still growing in my salvation walk. We cannot change yesterday, but we can learn from it and make better choices today.

Forgiveness is an important part of moving forward. Sometimes we need to seek forgiveness from others, and sometimes we need to learn to forgive ourselves. For those who place their faith in God, forgiveness also means trusting in His mercy and grace rather than continually punishing ourselves for past mistakes. True forgiveness does not erase the lesson; it releases us from being controlled by the past. 

When we acknowledge our wrongs, make amends when possible, and accept forgiveness, remorse and regret can become stepping stones toward healing, growth, and a more peaceful life.

Being grateful begins with awareness. Before we can truly appreciate the blessings in our lives, we have to slow down long enough to notice them. So often, we become focused on what is missing, what is difficult, or what we wish were different that we overlook the good things surrounding us. 

Gratitude starts when we become aware of the simple gifts we encounter every day—a sunrise, a peaceful moment, a loving family, a friend who cares, a song, a beautiful day, or simply the opportunity to wake up and live another day.

When we become more aware of our blessings, gratitude naturally begins to grow in our hearts. We may discover that we have more to be thankful for than we realized. For those who trust in God, this awareness can also remind us of His goodness and faithfulness.

 Gratitude doesn't require a perfect life; it simply requires us to recognize the good that is already present. Sometimes, the greatest change in our lives begins when we stop taking our blessings for granted and start noticing them. Gratitude changes everything!

Coming soon as funding will allow

“Goin' On With Jesus ” (Redux)

https://davidchenaultmusic.com/tip-jars/1712

Guilt and shame can weigh heavily on our hearts, especially when we continue to replay our past mistakes. Guilt can remind us that we have done something wrong, but shame often tells us that we are wrong or unworthy. Learning to cope begins with recognizing the difference and refusing to let our past define who we are today. We can acknowledge our mistakes, take responsibility, make amends when possible, and then give ourselves permission to move forward.

For those of us who have faith, God’s grace can provide a powerful path toward healing. We do not have to carry yesterday’s failures forever. Through forgiveness, prayer, and a willingness to change, we can learn to replace shame with hope and guilt with growth. The past may be part of our story, but it does not have to be the ending. Each new day gives us an opportunity to walk forward with greater wisdom, humility, peace, and faith.

I am a recovering alcoholic. If you knew me two years ago, you do not know me now!

Alcoholism can take a person down a path much like the prodigal son—away from family, responsibility, peace, and sometimes even from God. Addiction destroys. Addiction can make promises of happiness and freedom, yet it always leaves a person feeling empty, broken, and lost. 

Like the prodigal son, I eventually realized how far I had wandered away from God. A person struggling with alcoholism can eventually reach a point where they recognize their need for help and a new direction.

The beautiful message of the prodigal son is that the father never stopped loving him. Just like the prodigal son, when I returned home, the Father welcomed me with open arms rather than with condemnation. I thank  God that He offers forgiveness, grace and mercy, and a way home to those who turn to Him. He never turned His back on me. He never gave up on me! I am so very grateful. 

Recovery from alcoholism can be difficult, but no one has to walk that road alone. There is hope in surrendering our lives to God, confessing our sins, and seeking help. I have learned to take one day at a time toward freedom and restoration. Thank God He has forgiven me. I was a dead man walking. I am now a new creation in Christ!

Guilt and shame can become powerful forces in the cycle of addiction. Guilt says, “I did something wrong,” while shame whispers, “I am something wrong.” When a person continually carries the weight of past mistakes, disappointment, and regret as I did, they may turn to addiction as a way of escaping those painful feelings, also as I did. Unfortunately, the temporary relief only creates more guilt and shame, causing the cycle to continue.

Breaking free begins with understanding that our mistakes do not have to define who we are. For those of us who believe in God, His grace offers forgiveness, hope, and a new beginning. We can acknowledge what we have done without allowing our past to become our identity. Through faith, honesty, support, and a willingness to change, the chains of addiction can be broken. There is no shame in reaching out for help, and there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

I am a recovering alcoholic. I have found freedom. Freedom from addiction begins with hope, and that hope is found through faith in Jesus Christ. Addiction can leave a person feeling trapped by guilt, shame, and repeated failure, but God's grace offers a new beginning. Through prayer, fellowship with other believers, reading Scripture, and trusting in Christ each day, people can discover the strength to overcome habits that once seemed impossible to break. Faith reminds us that our identity is not defined by our struggles but by God's love, mercy, and His desire to transform our lives.

The journey to freedom is taken one day at a time, one step at a time, and lasting victory comes through perseverance, the support of other believers, and dependence on God. There will be setbacks along the way, but God's promises remain steadfast, offering forgiveness, encouragement, and renewed strength. As faith grows, hope replaces despair, and peace replaces fear. With Jesus as our foundation, we can look forward with confidence, knowing that true freedom is found in walking daily with Him and trusting His power to make all things new.

There is something truly refreshing about the beauty of spring and summer. As flowers bloom, trees become full of life, and the warmth of the sun fills each day, we are reminded of God's goodness and the countless blessings that surround us. A bright blue sky, gentle breezes, birds singing, and the vibrant colors of nature all encourage a grateful heart and invite us to slow down and appreciate the simple gifts of each day.

Gratitude grows when we take time to notice the beauty that God has created. Every sunny morning and peaceful evening is another opportunity to thank Him for His faithfulness, His love, and the joy of being alive. May we never take these beautiful days for granted, but instead let every season remind us to praise the Lord with thankful hearts and to share His kindness with those around us.