“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between
Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying,
‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.‘” — 1 Samuel 7:12 (NKJV)
At this stage in my life, I have been looking back—honestly and prayerfully—over a journey marked by brokenness, healing, and the quiet, steady grace of God. But this reflection has not just been personal; it has also been through the lens of my education, pastoral ministry and social work experience.
In the Old Testament, an “Ebenezer” was a physical monument—a “Stone of Help.” It was a visible reminder of a place where God met a traveler in their distress, marking the spot where a battle was won or a life was spared.
Through the lens of my journey—from the house with the “Yard of the Month” sign, to the blackouts and D.T.s, to Calvary, and finally to the pulpit—discover how God takes our “Hidden Pain” and transforms it into “Holy Purpose.” Every scar is a marker that says, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Why this Book is Different: The Clinical Insight
This deeply personal narrative reflects on a childhood shaped by severe dysfunction, the impact of alcoholism, and the long, “smoke-filled” path toward recovery, faith, and restoration. Some of the most meaningful moments came in simple, unexpected ways—walking along the shore, picking up “silly rocks,” and realizing that even the most worn and weathered pieces can become something sacred in God’s hands.
However, the power of Sacred Stones lies in its “Sanctified Scaffolding” approach. Every chapter pairs raw personal experience with rigorous clinical insight. For every memory of a “locked door,” I provide a “Step Further for the Clinician” section, utilizing neurobiology and attachment theory to define what I was experiencing—such as:
- Neurological Ignition
- Environmental Hypervigilance
- The Disorganized Survival Response
I don’t just tell you I was a scared child; I explain why my brain responded that way, and how Christ offers a “Grace” that rewires us for peace.
The Purpose: To provide a Resource for those in ministry and clinical professionals helping others
My hope in sharing this “Clinical Memoir” is twofold. For those who may feel unseen, burdened by their past, or trapped by addiction, this book offers a map showing that there is purpose in the pain. But just as importantly, I have written this as a tool for pastors, lay counselors, and social workers. Many in ministry lack the diagnostic language to understand the traumatized person sitting in their sanctuary, while many clinicians overlook the protective capacity of faith. Sacred Stones builds that bridge.
A Word About Anonymity and Respect
Out of deep respect for the principles of recovery, this book does not name or identify any specific recovery fellowship, group, or individual. I honor the spirit of anonymity and the traditions that protect it. This story is shared from my personal experience alone, with the sincere hope of offering encouragement—never to represent or speak for any group, organization, agency, or church.